A final comment:
Without the Law of God (Commandments, including the commandments of Jesus), grace had no meaning or role to play in one's life. Unless there is a judgment to be faced, grace is necessary.
Concerning faith, justification, grace, the Law, etc, it has never been an either or situation, it has always be an 'and' requirement.
For example:
Revelation 12:17 (KJV)
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The testimony of Jesus Christ is the gospel concerning the kingdom of God and His role and function within that kingdom.
Revelation 14:12 (KJV)
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Here we have works and faith married into an integrated whole, without separation or division.
Revelation 22:14 (KJV)
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Finally, we have the 'commandment keepers' receiving their right to their promised salvation and entrance into the eternal holy city of God.
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Most Gentile thinkers (yes, that includes me also), can not grasp the difference between seeking salvation through their obedience to the laws, statutes and ordinances of God - and seeking to obey God out of love and a burning desire to live a life pleasing to Him, according to the instructions in righteousness that He placed in our lives.
Those attempting to earn one's salvation through their own effort, by attempting to keep all of the law and its righteousness, is doomed to failure. Not because the law was/is faulty, but because no one can yet keep the laws, even with the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Our carnal nature, like Paul lamented, continues to raise up its ugly head in our lives and continues to produce sin in our lives. Therefore, if our righteousness does not come from, and rest in, Jesus Christ, we are all indeed lost!
Remember, there was nothing deficient in the Law (conditions and requirements) of the Mt. Sinai covenant. It was the failure of men, in their fallen state to be able
to continue in and to maintain the covenant requirements.
Even today, sin is defined as a transgression of the Law.
1 John 3:4 (KJV)
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
and
Romans 5:13 (KJV)
For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
If there is no law and no required obedience (observance, compliance), then grace has no function in one's life, and if sin is not imputed to individuals for their transgressions, then what role does does Christ have to play in the lives of men today? From what does mankind now need to be 'saved'? Then in what or in whom is faith required - and why?
My friends, none of these issues are stand alone subjects, topics, questions, or arguments. Unless and until all of these discussion elements are brought together into a coherent doctrine, no mutual understanding or agreements are possible.
For persistence sake: If anyone truly wishes to defend their point of view (position, doctrine, view point, etc), then there is only one way to do it:
One must first be able to mount a 'credible challenge' to what it is they profess (hold, know, believe). Only then are they in a position to adequately defend their position (point of view, etc.) from the challenges of others.
We have already seen that presenting a few 'selected' scriptures does little to persuade anyone to change their positions. Picking and choosing verses never works. This exercise also demonstrates very clearly why the last covenant failed. When using just 'selected' scripture to support or to attack another position/opinion, one must do violence to the world of God in the process. The results: Everyone loses.
And so I maintain that our faith cannot be separated from our obedience.
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