Dear Phil (duck dynasty) Robertson, Thank you for educating people regarding God's Law

[CthulhusEvilCousin]

17. Actually

The previous poster is quite correct. The law of Moses is seen as having been absolutely fulfilled by Christ. The import of Christ's words to the rich man isn't that the only way to salvation is to give up all your possessions (though it is the highest form of good works). It was to demonstrate the impossibility of fulfilling the law, a deed which only Christ Himself could do. The rich man specifically claimed that he had "kept the entire law" from his youth, which is denied everywhere in the New Testament as even possible, though absolutely necessary if one is to be saved by the law:

"For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." (Gal 3:10-11)

Therefore Christ upped the ante, by telling Him, if He will be perfect, to "give up everything," sell all his possessions, give it to the poor, and follow Christ. The law, as viewed from the Christian perspective, is already fulfilled by the life, death and resurrection of Christ, which renders all believers as no longer being under the law, but under the Gospel of Grace, which frees them from the curse of failing to live up to the requirements of the law. In a sense, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Co 6:12).

This does not mean, however, that we can sin all we like. It simply changes the role of the law in the lives of Christians, so that it is not something that condemns man, or saves him, but is something that Christians do for the glory of God, and at His direct moving and doing within them. Since Christ is the one who chose men to salvation, He also ordains them to produce fruit as a result of a salvation already received:

Joh_15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Eph_2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

The difference between the Elect, therefore, and the damned, is that the elect "shew forth their faith by their works," as they were ordained to do, while the reprobate do works of evil.

Therefore, appeals to Leviticus have no bearing on the Christian, since they are loosed from the obligation of the law, and are free to eat whatever they like, wear whatever they like, but ought not "fall under the power of any," and should obey the moral law as detailed by Christ, according to the best of their ability, but not for the purpose of receiving heaven as a reward.

As for hell, Christ's language on the matter is straight from Isaiah, which also, by the way, includes many prophecies of the Messiah as well:

Isa 66:24 "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

Compare:

Mar 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Mar 9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.