Hi Doves,

 

The works of the Law are referring to circumcision, animal sacrifices, observing festivals and New Moon feast days.

 

All the ritual works of the Law represent the work the Lord Jesus Christ does in our lives, through His Holy Spirit.

 

This why the ritual works of the Law are no longer needed, for they have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul didn't want the Corinthians and Galatians to put themselves into the bondage of what has been abolished!

 

We are still expected, however, to keep the law to love one another.

 

This we can do by the power of the Holy Spirit within us  IF WE ARE WILLING!

 

"...for he who loves another has fulfilled the law...any other commandment are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbour as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law." [Rom.13:8-10]

 

It's through love for the neighbour that living faith in Christ is expressed!

 

It's through love for the neighbour that the righteousness of God is practised!

 

Let me now expand on those scriptures that so many are using to deny that the works of faith have anything to do with the resurrection and translation of the saints. 

 

My words are in red.

 

"Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the [rituals of the] whole law.

 

"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by [the rituals of the] law; you have fallen from the grace [of the Spirit of life].

 

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope [which is the resurrection or translation of our bodies] of righteousness by [doing the works of] faith.

 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love [for the neighbour]."[Gal.5:2-6]

 

"For by grace [of the Spirit of life] you have been saved through faith [working through love], and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of [ritual] works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works..." [Ephesian 2:8-10]

 

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the [ritual] works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the [ritual] works of the law, for by the [ritual] works of the law no flesh shall be justified. [Gal. 2:16]

 

Ola