One word answers this query: penalty; or as it were, the punishment for previous violations of God's Precepts. However, this in no way diminishes our responsibility to obey His Doctrine: which many Christian denominations deny, boldly teaching that the Law itself was hung on the cross: rendering us no longer responsible for adherence to them. As they are fond of saying, if you sin you still will go to heaven because it's impossible for man to be perfect. Of course, having said that, they just made Jesus a liar. 

The Statues of Life were NOT hung on the cross, and there is plenty of scripture to verify this axiom. Daniel was the first to tell us which laws, as it were, that would be hung on Christ's cross: 

(Daniel 9:26-27) And after threescore and two weeks [483-1/2 years] shall Messiah be cut off [killed], but not for himself [rather for humanity's sins]: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood [of false doctrines], and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. 

And he [Jesus] shall confirm the covenant [the Father's Law] with many [people] for one week [seven years]: and in the midst of the week [three and one-half years] he shall cause the [ordinances of] sacrifice and the oblation [offerings] to cease [by becoming the ultimate sacrificial offering], and for the overspreading of abominations [sins] he shall make it [Jerusalem] desolate [a ruin], even until the consummation [Christ's return followed by fire], and that determined [destruction] shall be poured upon the desolate [Jerusalem in 70 A.D, as also prophesied by Christ]. 

* * * * * The total of Daniel's prophecy consumes 70 prophetic weeks, or 490 literal years: of which, the first 49 years were spent in rebuilding the road to Jerusalem and another 434 years in rebuilding Jerusalem, its walls and the temple: a total of 483 years having been spent in preparing for Messiah's arrival to begin His ministry of 3-1/2 years. The first prophetic week of Daniel's prophecy began in 457 B.C.: when king Artaxerxes finally issued to Ezra the final permit to meet God's deadline of rebuilding— lesser and incomplete permits had been issued by previous kings. Therefore, only the final permit indicates the true beginning of this prophecy and completes it with precise dating. The use of any other dates result in flawed interpretations. 

As a matter of historical record and precisely in 27 A.D. Christ appeared and was baptized by John the Baptist. In exactly 3-1/2 years, or 30.5 A.D., Jesus was crucified at age 33 years and 7 months: bringing the total expired prophesied years to 486-1/2 years, as Daniel stated. Various other combined prophecies reveal the close of the 490 years as the time to begin witnessing to the Gentiles. Just 3-1/2 years after Christ was crucified and, again, as a matter of historical record, minister Stephen was slain and Saul-renamed-Paul was called to replace Stephen: Paul assigned to witness specifically to the heathens. 

So, Daniel's 70-weeks, or 490-years, prophecy concluded-in-total in 34 A.D. and the "time of the Gentiles" began: which would extend for a total of 1810 years, based on additional prophecy, and which concluded in 1844 A.D. These facts belie today's teachings that only 483 years elapsed of this 490 years— of which they agree began in 457 B.C.— with the remaining seven years to have begun either in 2000 or 2001: this latter indicating the fallacy in such renderings, because God's timing is perfect. It is not an either/or. Also, not one of God's prophecies ever began, paused, then resumed at a later date. Each began and continued without interruption to absolute conclusion. 

Even more critical to note about the above false discernments is fulfillment of a warning given in I John 4:3— "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God." This has been done by implication throughout corporate Christendom by way of their interpretation of Daniel's chapter 9. To imply Jesus has not come in the flesh is just as damning as boldly making the statement. After all, if Daniel's prophecy paused at the end of 483 years, then Christ was born but never began His ministry therefore was not crucified 3-1/2 years later and neither was He resurrected nor ascended to heaven. Further, minister Stephen was not killed and Saul was not called to witness to pagans, therefore the 1810 years never began. All these incidents did, in fact, occur in the final seven years of the 490 years and all events subsequent to 30.5 A.D. 

Furthermore, Daniel verifies— contrary to popular discernments today— that both Jerusalem regaining all that it once possessed in land as well as the rebuilding of it's famous temple— upon which foundation currently sits a Moslem Mosque— BEFORE Christ returns, also is a lie straight out of the pits of hell. New Jerusalem will be rebuilt in heaven and, from there, descend to earth after the sheep's 1000 years reign in heaven. As for the temple, there will be no temple: for the Father and His Christ will be the temple in its midst. 

Therefore according to Daniel and the book of Hebrews, the law of sacrificial ordinances in the form of Christ was hung on the cross: NOT the twelve Commandments; which, according to I Chronicles 16:14-15, Psalm 111:7-8>119:150-152 and Revelation 11:19, continue in full force and will continue even in the new earth and heavens. 

Chronicles states, "to a thousand generations:" which is approximately 40,000 years. Since this earth was destined to have a 6000-year lifespan encompassing its first two lives— prior and hence the great flood— then lie fallow for 1000 years of Sabbath rest for a total of 7000 years— after which time it is to be restored to like as Eden for its everlasting lifespan; then 40,000 years is a metaphor to indicate FOREVER, ALWAYS. 

To confirm the law means to validate and re-enforce it. This is exactly what Jesus did: both by what He taught and by His behaviour of total obedience. In fact, Isaiah 42:21 clearly states that Jesus would "magnify and make honourable" His Father's Law. In order to magnify the Twelve Commandments, Jesus strictly obeyed and taught them. To make them honourable was to gain followers who also obey and teach this same Doctrine: for which they "will be called great in heaven." 

As for Christ taking on the penalty for humanity's violation of God's Doctrine, scripture clearly defines this act of love. * * * * *  

(Romans 3:23-25) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of SINS THAT ARE PAST, through the forbearance of God. 

(Ephesians 2:2-3) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [Lucifer], the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath [Satan], even as others. 

* * * * * Our PAST sins are forgiven when we accept Jesus as both our Saviour and the Son of God: from which point we are expected to become wholly obedient. So, what if we sin thereafter? * * * * *  

(Romans 3:31) Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. 

(excerpt Matthew 5:17-20) Think not that I am come to destroy the law. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass [away], one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law. Whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 

(excerpt Hebrews 5:9-10) Learn obedience by the things suffered, being made perfect. 

* * * * * 'Establish' also means to ascertain, determine, verify, confirm God's law: thus, the reader is referred back to Daniel 9:26-27 regarding the portended Messiah's mission to "confirm the covenant" which is the Twelve Precepts. We do this exactly as Jesus did it: we obey it, live it, teach it. In these ways, we also magnify and make honourable Yeshua's Law of Liberty. However, we never can hope to become perfect in obedience, as Christ was perfect, IF we don't first love God with all our heart and soul and mind and might as well as love our neighbor with the very same passion. 

How did Jesus demonstrate His love for God and mankind? He absolutely was obedient to Adonai's Precepts AND was willing to, and did die, both for the Father and on behalf of humanity. This, then, is the true st measure of love: our willingness to die for our God and/or for our neighbor. As noted in prior responses, the two Royal Laws were first established in the Old Testament, specifically testifying to the fact that Jesus came saying nothing new or giving two new commands to replace the Ten. 

Having said this, it is a certainty that many will rush to point out I John 2:8 wherein John refers vaguely to the royal Law as a new commandment. In II John v.5, however, John clearly states that those two laws were not new, rather having existed from the beginning. The point he was making in I John was that the Royal Law was new to those who had never heard it before. * * * * * 

(Leviticus 19:18~, ~19) Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. Ye shall keep [obey] my statutes. 

(Deuteronomy 6:5) And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 

(Deuteronomy 11:1, 13) Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, ALWAYS. Love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

(Deuteronomy 13:3~,4) For the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave to him. 

(Joshua 22:5~) Love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. 

(Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:25-28) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

(John 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

(excerpt James 2:14,20,24,26) O vain man, faith without works is dead. By works a man is justified, and not by faith only. So faith without works is dead also. 

(excerpt Exodus 18:20) Teach them laws and the way they must walk and the work they must do. 

* * * * * Webster's New World Dictionary defines 'hang on or upon' as depending on or contingent on, supported by. Therefore, let us paraphrase what Jesus said: Obeying the Father's Ten Commandments depend upon loving the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind as well as loving your neighbor as your self. The law and the prophets depend upon these two commandments. 

So, how do we love our self? By doing what is right and acceptable to God. Still, the question of what about sinning after we've accepted salvation has yet to be answered. The first point to establish, however, is whether or not the sin or sins were 1) willfully or 2) unwittingly committed. * * * * * 

(Romans 2:12-13,~15,18) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the DOERS OF THE LAW SHALL BE JUSTIFIED. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness. And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law. 

WILFULL SIN:

(Hebrews 10:26-27) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

(excerpt Proverbs 28:4,7,9,16-17) They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep [obey] the law contend [challenge] with them. Who so keepeth the law is wise. He that turneth away from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. 

* * * * * The first thing to note in Hebrews is "after having received the knowledge of truth." This means the "understanding of truth." Therefore, we are not held accountable for that which we do not understand. Obviously, we still commit sin when first saved: but, it usually is not obvious to us. Certainly, stealing or lying or killing or any other of the Ten Laws in their glaring form is obvious. It's the depth of Law we don't immediately comprehend or even recognize. For instance, how is unforgivable blasphemy committed? There is a depth to this one issue that goes far deeper than most people even realize. We also have to overcome "man's doctrine and traditions" vastly having distorted much of and outright eliminated other of God's Laws. 

So, we are told that we will "grow into righteousness," which means we are a baby on milk who gradually begins to eat solid food. We learn all the subtle nuances of God's Law, little by little gaining His Wisdom; and, as we gain wisdom and if truly saved, we eliminate each aspect of sin as we come to identify it. The uppermost thing to remember during this process is two things: 1) once heard or read, then responsible; and, 2) we can kid ourselves but we cannot deceive God. Ishi knows when you've heard the truth and it's then He holds you accountable. 

Now, at no point does scripture state that once we reach perfection, Lucifer no longer will tempt, cajole, torment and so forth. He absolutely tempts, cajoles, and torments even worse than before and will continue to do so until Christ returns to take us up. It's a test and to pass this exam is to gain everlasting life. 

So what is grace? Grace is having been CALLED to salvation in the first place. We still must be chosen AND only the obedient are CHOSEN. As Jesus said, "Many are called, few are chosen." Noah and his immediate family is an example of grace: at the end of 100 years, they were the only ones to enter the ark. Still, Isaiah 8:16,20 first described the chosen, paraphrased: "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples: they speak my testimony and teach my law, for there is light in them." 

Throughout the Bible, God's Twelve Commandments— also noted as Law or Statutes or Precepts and Doctrine and occasionally as Ordinances— are referred to additionally by several titles: Statutes of Life, Law of Liberty, Law of Righteousness. Interestingly, life, that is everlasting life, is guaranteed if they are obeyed: both in the Old and New Testaments. (see Ezekiel 33:13-16; Romans 9:31; James 1:25;>2:8-12) 

In the end, a final question comes to mind: So, what's in it for us if we obey God's Law to the letter? The following scripture responses will be excerpts only: 

THEY WHO ACCEPT JESUS and OBEY GOD'S LAW ARE: 

1. BLESSED — Psalm 119:1; Proverbs 8:17,32,35> 13:13-14
2. WISER than enemies and the ancients — Psalm 119:97-104; Proverbs 2:1-10; and, Ecclesiastes 8:1-5
3. HAVE GREAT PEACE — Psalm 119:165; John 14:27; Romans 8:6; Philippians 4:7
4. HAPPINESS — Proverbs 29:18
5. INHERIT GLORY — Proverbs 3:35
6. HAVE GOD'S MERCY — Daniel 9:4
7. ETERNAL LIFE — Proverbs 7:1-4; Romans 8:6 

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

(Revelation 12:17) And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her see, [they] which keep [obey] the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

(Revelation 14:12) Here is the patience [wisdom] of the saints [anointed believers]: here are they that keep [obey] the commandments of God, and [possess] the faith of Jesus. 

(Revelation 22:14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 

In closing, all this brings to mind a question recently asked of me by a fellow author: "How can you be so devoted to a god we're supposed to fear?" As everyone is aware, the Bible is heavily littered with the phrase, "Fear the Lord."

Unfortunately, denominational Christianity has painted a picture of a god who is fearsome, angry, and downright mean as well as impossible to please: one who has no compunction against killing man, woman and child, young and old alike. This has turned many a person away from Christianity and our dear Yeshua who, in reality, is an exceedingly loving as well as forgiving God. 

There are two kinds of fear: 1) fear as experienced by those who love and obey Elohim; and, 2) fear suffered by those who are disobedient. This latter fear is a "weeping, wailing, grinding of teeth and trembling" kind of fear of God: for in those who are disobedient, there is at their core a certain awareness that God, indeed, does exist and is their Creator. 

The former is a respectful fear: the kind that does not fear God so much as fears His wrath. Understanding this, the obedient obey because they understand and love God therefore wish to please Him while, at the same time, comprehending that El Shaddai's Law is in their best interest. I believe the seven reasons given for obeying God's Statutes of Life confirms this axiom— this fear being much like a child wishes to please their parents because he or she loves them and at the same time because he or she respects Mom and Dad's law as being in child's best interest.