The Law, Fulfillment & Righteousness

After man's fall in the garden, mankind lost its right standing with God.  God desired that man restore his right standing with Him, and He established the first (old) covenant (contract) with the Jewish people in which they could receive right standing with Him through complete fulfillment of His Law.  This would be considered one's own righteousness.  The problem was, that if anyone broke the law at any point, then that person would be considered unrighteous or guilty of  breaking the whole law in its entirety (James 2:10).  Everyone fell short, because everyone had sinned (Romans 3:23).  Therefore, one's own righteousness would not provide anyone right standing before God.  The bible likens one's own righteousness to filthy rags (being clothed in unrighteousness)(Isaiah  64:6).  God promised mankind a new covenant (or a new path to right standing with Him)(Jeremiah 31:31) built on better promises (Hebrews  8:6).  The new covenant was established in the shed blood of Jesus  (Matthew 26:28) on the cross and it would be based in faith alone  (Galatians 2:16).  We would no longer be required to keep the Law unto righteousness (which everyone had failed), but instead we could now receive the Righteousness of God through God living within us (Romans  8:10).  By possessing the Righteousness of God (which was made possible only through faith in Jesus' atoning work) one would receive the Holy Spirit within one's self.  Under this new covenant, Jesus fulfilled all the Law for us and this fulfillment of the Law would be applied to us if we indeed are born into His spiritual kingdom by receiving the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, and then be rooted in that spiritual kingdom, led by His Spirit.

Our own Righteousness

The bible declares our own righteousness is from the obedience of the Law.

Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.
- Deuteronomy 6:25 New King James Version (NKJV)

Not having my own righteousness, which is from the law...
- Philippians 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

The bible declares our own righteousness as worthless (man could not fulfill the law perfectly).

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
- Isaiah 64:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus proclaims that we need a different kind (a better kind) of righteousness than our own  righteousness (that the scribes and Pharisees had, one's own righteousness or self-righteousness).  The righteousness that we instead need to possess, the only righteousness that matters, is the Righteousness of God.

"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees [righteousness through the Law], you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
- Matthew 5:20 New King James Version (NKJV)

The bible declares that righteousness through the first covenant is obsolete.

In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
- Hebrews 8:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

The first covenant made with the Jewish people was replaced by God's new covenant made with all of mankind.

For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
- Hebrews 8:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

...He takes away the first that He may establish the second.
- Hebrews 10:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Law was meant to prepare us for faith.

But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
- Galatians 3:23-25 New King James Version (NKJV)

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
- Galatians 4:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV) 

For Christ is the end of the law [it leads to Him and its purpose is fulfilled in Him], for [granting] righteousness to everyone who believes [in Him as Savior].

- Romans 10:4 Amplified Bible AMP

Before Jesus established God's new covenant in His blood based in faith alone, man had to attempt to fulfill the Law for himself.  What was the purpose for Jesus to die on the cross if man's situation remained the same afterward? 

"I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."
- Galatians 2:21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17 ) for all of those who would believe in Him, that they may receive right standing with God by faith, not by their own works of the Law.

And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.
- Philippians 3:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

Knowing that a man is not justified by the 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 works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
- Galatians 2:16 New King James Version (NKJV)

For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved,  gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. 

- Ephesians 2:8-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of  God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference.
- Romans 3:20-22 New King James Version (NKJV)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
- Romans 10:4 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus fulfilled the Law through His shed blood sacrifice on the cross.  Therefore, when His blood is applied to our spirit in the spiritual realm, then His fulfillment of the law is applied over our lives as well.

For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

- Matthew 26:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
- Ephesians 2:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

...that He might sanctify the people with His own blood...
- Hebrews 13:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

Let there be no doubt, that Jesus fulfilled the Law for us.  So that it is through our faith in Jesus and by walking accordingly (in the Light/Spirit) as His followers, that His fulfillment of the Law is applied to us through His blood in the spiritual realm.  Our righteousness (right standing) comes from God living in us (the Righteousness of God), not from our works of the Law (our own righteousness).  

Under grace, we are still obligated to spiritual works.

We are not under works of the Law but we are under works of the Spirit (or spiritual works) such as love and faith (James 2:14, Romans 8:6, John 6:63, Galatians 6:8), as Jesus emphasized in the beatitudes in Matthew and Luke and the letters to the seven churches in Revelation.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

- Galatians 5:18 New King James Version (NKJV)

For sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law [as slaves], but under [unmerited] grace [as recipients of God’s favor and mercy].

- Romans 6:14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Through Jesus' fulfillment of the Law on our behalf, we are no longer slaves of the Law, but willing servants under grace (and spiritual works).

For just as the [human] body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works [of obedience] is also dead.

- James 2:26 Amplified Bible (AMP) 

Spiritual works (spiritual obedience) will derive out of someone who is rooted in God's Kingdom, having received the Holy Spirit through faith.  Walking in the Spirit is being led by the Holy Spirit.  Walking in the Light is being rooted in God's spiritual kingdom through the Holy Spirit.  Holiness is being separated from Satan's spiritual kingdom (and from walking in the flesh/darkness).

Spiritual works are not a labor or hardship, but is the new nature of God's adopted children.  The works of the Spirit are:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,  goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
- Galatians 5:22-23 New King James Version (NKJV)

For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.
- Ephesians 5:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus' commandment is love, which is a spiritual work and not a work of the Law (which He already fulfilled for us through His shed blood sacrifice on the cross).

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
- John 15:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.
- 1 Timothy 1:4-6 New King James Version (NKJV)

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
- Galatians 5:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
- Romans 13:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus' commandments are spiritual works (or spiritual obedience), which we are still obligated to fulfill even while under grace and the new covenant.  Abiding in spiritual works is obedience in Jesus' commandments.  

"If you love Me, keep My commandments."
- John 14:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
- Hebrews 5:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
- 2 Corinthians 5:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

When we walk according to the Spirit and in the Light, then the blood of Jesus is applied to us in the spiritual realm (we have Jesus' fulfillment of the Law applied to us and the forgiveness of sins), and we are no longer condemned by the Law.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

- 1 John 1:7 New King James Version (NKJV)

Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior].

- Romans 8:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Since we can not overcome the Law on our own, the bible refers to God's law as a curse unto us.

[ The Law Brings a Curse ] For as many as are of the works of the law are  under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not  continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do  them.”

- Galatians 3:10 New King James Version (NKJV) 

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

- Romans 3:19-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

Yet, Jesus became the curse for us and redeemed us from the curse, so that we may be freed from this burden. 

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.

- Galatians 3:13 New King James Version (NKJV)

Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us.  And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

- Colossians 2:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

The bible proclaims that Jesus freed us from the curse of the law.  In Jesus there is liberty.

"Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
- John 8:36 New King James Version (NKJV)

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
- 2 Corinthians 3:17 New King James Version (NKJV)

Paul warns us that once we are set free from the curse of the law by Jesus, that we are not to put ourselves back under the curse of which we have been set free.  Jesus died on the cross to fulfill the Law for us.  Let us not deny His sacrifice and reject Him by trying to be justified by works of the Law of our own effort.

This is what the bible proclaims: that if you put yourself back under the Law, then you will not be under grace, you will be held accountable to fulfill the whole Torah law, in which you will fall short:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.  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 whole law.  You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
- Galatians 5:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

God's word warns us not to attempt to be justified by keeping the Law unto righteousness.  We are justified by faith in Jesus who fulfilled the Law for us in His blood.  We are justified by Jesus' work.

Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.  But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.
- Romans 4:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

And why not?  Because it was not by faith [that they pursued it], but as though it were by works [relying on the merit of their works instead of their faith]. They stumbled over the stumbling Stone [Jesus Christ].

- Romans 9:32 Amplified Bible (AMP)

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
- Romans 10:3 New King James Version (NKJV)

And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
- Romans 11:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

The bible (in its correct Spirit-led context) is 100% clear, we are not under the Law if we are covered by  Jesus' blood.  His fulfillment of the Law has been applied to us in the spiritual realm.  He saved us in His own blood according to our faith in Him.

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
- Romans 3:28 New King James Version (NKJV)

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
- Romans 6:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
- Romans 8:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
- Galatians 3:2 New King James Version (NKJV)

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
- Galatians 5:18 New King James Version (NKJV)

Jesus also warns us not to combine covenants but that we are under the new covenant alone.

"No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse.  Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
- Matthew 9:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

The adulteress in John 8, was guilty of adultery, and according to the Torah law of the old covenant, she was required to be put to death (Leviticus 20:10). Had God intended to keep us under the Law, Jesus  would have had to allow her to be put to death as the Law commands (He is our example and He was without sin). Though she was indeed guilty of breaking God's Law (old covenant) and according to God's Law, she must have been put to death; through Jesus she found grace and forgiveness (new covenant) and life.

Though we are not under the Law through the liberty Jesus provided for us, we are not free to sin by any means.  We are still obligated to be led by the Holy Spirit and abide in spiritual works - the fruit of the Spirit.  We must be rooted in God's spiritual kingdom of heaven and walk as children of Light.

Jesus saved us, we do not save ourselves.  Let us walk accordingly, being led by the Holy Spirit by faith and love.