One of the things emphasised in the Bible is that we live by faith in Jesus. You may say this is obvious but many don't actually believe that saying. You will hear believers telling newcomers that they have to "keep the law to gain eternal life" or "Of course you have to keep the commandments to be saved"! It's well meaning usually but erroneous and it sends the message that faith isn't what you live by, what you live by is law keeping.

The apostle Paul knew people would go back to attempting to live by the law and tell others thay had to do the same, because it would seem to the still carnal mind as the only way to control their moral behavior. That is one of the reasons why he wrote in the letter to the Galatians...

Galatians 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Paul asks them how they became Christians. Was it by keeping the law or by faith in Jesus? So if becoming a Christian is by faith not by keeping the law what makes you think you can continue with law what law couldn't start in the first place!

Paul goes on to bring out the important point that attempted 'law keeping' puts you under a curse since you cannot actually keep them perfectly!

Galatians 3:10 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.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

You'll note that the Old Covenant criteria is to abide by all the things written in the 'Book of the Law (The Torah). That's some 613 commands! If you truly think that you can do this and so gain eternal life, then you should note that the scriptures say 'no-one' has done this except Jesus!

No-one kept the Law before Jesus and no-one has kept it since. So if 'keeping the Law' is the only way to be saved then Jesus will be very lonely in the kingdom of God!

No the spiritual way that we are to follow is the way of faith in Christ. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. God gave His only begotten Son so that everyone who believes in Him shall have eternal life.

Then, being led by the Holy Spirit in us, not by an external law, will empower us to live lives pleasing to God. Those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith, just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”.