How were people saved before the giving of the law?
The law exposed our sinful nature. Therefore before the law was given were people considered innocent and therefore saved?
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Asked February 13 2017
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ainsley chalmers
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For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
The blood sacrifice of animals carried out under the old covenant with God was a part of the process of a remnant of mankind being reconciled to God. God has restored unto Himself a remnant of His wayward children. The animal sacrifice system that God put in place wasn't for the purpose of reconciliation, it was for the purpose of staying in relationship with God until the next phase of the restoration plan. Nowhere and at no time does God tell the people that they will obtain eternal life if they keep the law that He gave them.
He tells Israel, just before they went into the promised land, that He had made a promise to their fathers, so He was keeping His promise. He says, "know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments.. and repays to their face those who hate Him, by destroying them.. You must therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today" (Deut 7:8-11).
He's saying, 'following the rules I give you is your part of keeping covenant with Me. It's for your provisions that I will provide.' He never attaches eternal life to them following the rules.
They didn't misinterpret the reason for the law. Many in THE CHURCH DID/DOES!!