Michael Colunga (10 May 2012)
"The Torah and grace are mixed inextricably."
 
Hello, John and Doves,
 
The Torah and grace are mixed inextricably.
 
It is written,
    "Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy."
Leviticus 19:2  NLT
 
To that end (of being holy), it is written,
    "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
1 John 1:9  NIV
 
Why is holiness absolutely important in the age of grace?
It is written,
    "16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Galatians 5:16-26  NIV

D'rash:  You are not under the [weight of] the law if you are already fulfilling the law in the power of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).

And thus, it is written,

"Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be continuously filled (G4137) with the Holy Spirit."  Ephesians 5:18

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Lexicon Results
Strong's G4137 - plēroō
πληρόω

Transliteration

plēroō

Pronunciation

plā-ro'-ō (Key)

Part of Speech

verb

Root Word (Etymology)

TDNT Reference

Vines
Outline of Biblical Usage

1) to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full

a) to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

1) I abound, I am liberally supplied

2) to render full, i.e. to complete

a) to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

b) to consummate: a number

1) to make complete in every particular, to render perfect

2) to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)

c) to carry into effect, bring to realisation, realise

1) of matters of duty: to perform, execute

2) of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish

3) to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment

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Baruch HaShem Adonai Roi,

Mike C.