“Are they Israelites? So am I” (2 Corinthians 11:22)  

Paul assured the Churches, he was, “concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:4). In every letter, he says Christians who obey the leading of the Holy Spirit live better lives than people who only obey laws externally. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1) “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly … but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter” (Romans 2:28-29). 

 The Apostles consistently told the saints, obey the Holy Spirit, and be holy. 

 “God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 4:7-8). “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). “Do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11). “What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). “Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). 

 Some modern ministers think salvation by grace means Christians have the freedom to sin without fear. This is just a new version of the antinomianism Paul fought in the first century: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2). “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).