If the law has been fulfilled and abolished then that should be the end of religion and justification by works or obedience to the law. The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus fulfilled the law and then abolished it.
THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW ON OUR BEHALF
"Think not that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill" Matthew 5:17,18.
Jesus is God's law incarnate in human flesh. One might say that Jesus is the epitome of the law, Romans 3:21. God requires two things for the salvation of fallen man.
1. A life of perfect obedience according to his holy law.
2. A perfect atonement for his sins and the sins of the whole world.
Jesus has victoriously met all of the requirements for the salvation of fallen man, Colossians 2:15. This is why Paul wrote,
"For you are complete in him (Jesus) which is the head of all principality and power" Colossians 2:10.
"that I might be found in him, not having my own righteousness that is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:9.
The believers righteousness is not in himself or by the law. The believers righteousness is in heaven at the right hand of God. Trying to become righteous by the law will lead to ones judgment and condemnation, Galatians 3:10.
THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE LAW ON OUR BEHALF
The law has been abolished, but only for those that are "In Christ". Those that are not in Christ will be judged by the law and condemned. Where there is law there is judgment and condemnation. This is why Paul wrote,
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (law or religion) but after the Spirit (Gospel)" Romans 8:1.
The reason that there is no condemnation is because there is no law that can condemn. It has been abolished.
"Having ABOLISHED in his flesh the enmity, EVEN THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances: for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace" Ephesians 2:15.
Where there is law there is enmity because there is judgment and condemnation. God must judge sin where he finds it. The only way to escape judgment and condemnation is to be "In Christ". In the judgment the only thing that is going to pass is the righteousness of Christ.
Christians are not called to live according to laws and rules. A good son does not need laws or rules to please his father. He knows what is right and what is wrong and lives accordingly. He does not want to disappoint his father so he does not sin against him. He always does those things that pleases him.
Paul said that the righteous man does not need the law. That the law is for sinners, ungodly, unholy, profane, murders, homosexuals, whoremongers, thieves, perjured persons. If you are one of the above, the law is for you, 1 Timothy 1:8-10.
THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW ON OUR BEHALF
"Think not that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill" Matthew 5:17,18.
Jesus is God's law incarnate in human flesh. One might say that Jesus is the epitome of the law, Romans 3:21. God requires two things for the salvation of fallen man.
1. A life of perfect obedience according to his holy law.
2. A perfect atonement for his sins and the sins of the whole world.
Jesus has victoriously met all of the requirements for the salvation of fallen man, Colossians 2:15. This is why Paul wrote,
"For you are complete in him (Jesus) which is the head of all principality and power" Colossians 2:10.
"that I might be found in him, not having my own righteousness that is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" Philippians 3:9.
The believers righteousness is not in himself or by the law. The believers righteousness is in heaven at the right hand of God. Trying to become righteous by the law will lead to ones judgment and condemnation, Galatians 3:10.
THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE LAW ON OUR BEHALF
The law has been abolished, but only for those that are "In Christ". Those that are not in Christ will be judged by the law and condemned. Where there is law there is judgment and condemnation. This is why Paul wrote,
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them that which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (law or religion) but after the Spirit (Gospel)" Romans 8:1.
The reason that there is no condemnation is because there is no law that can condemn. It has been abolished.
"Having ABOLISHED in his flesh the enmity, EVEN THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances: for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace" Ephesians 2:15.
Where there is law there is enmity because there is judgment and condemnation. God must judge sin where he finds it. The only way to escape judgment and condemnation is to be "In Christ". In the judgment the only thing that is going to pass is the righteousness of Christ.
Christians are not called to live according to laws and rules. A good son does not need laws or rules to please his father. He knows what is right and what is wrong and lives accordingly. He does not want to disappoint his father so he does not sin against him. He always does those things that pleases him.
Paul said that the righteous man does not need the law. That the law is for sinners, ungodly, unholy, profane, murders, homosexuals, whoremongers, thieves, perjured persons. If you are one of the above, the law is for you, 1 Timothy 1:8-10.