Law and Prophets Not Abolished
In order to understand the function of the Law in the New Testament, first of all we need to listen to the words of our Lord Jesus Himself, who said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (Mat 5:17).
“For no man can lay
a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1Co 3:11). There is
no other foundation beside Jesus Christ.
Since He alone is the foundation of the Church, then He defines life and
the way life is in the New Covenant. The words of Jesus are our guide to
interpreting everything the apostles teach.
In His Sermon on the Mount, quoted above,
Jesus went on to say, "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass
away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is
accomplished. (Mat 5:18)
He said, "But it is easier for heaven
and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to fail.”
(Luk 16:17). In our modern parlance, we might say that it would be easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for
one little comma or the smallest detail in the Law to be done away with.
Jesus Taught and Fulfilled the Law
Quite contrary to doing away with the Law,
Jesus taught us how to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. "In everything, therefore, treat people
the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the
Prophets. (Mat 7:12)
He often cited the Law in His teachings.
"Or have you not read in the Law, that on the Sabbath the priests
in the temple break the Sabbath and are innocent?” (Mat 12:5)
When Jesus was asked, "Teacher, which is
the great commandment in the Law?" (Mat 22:36), He did not say the
Law was bad or tell the man that the Law has no relevance now that He had
come. He answered and said to him,
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a
second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two
commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Mat
22:37-40). He taught that love is the
basis for the Law and the Prophets.
When He was asked by an expert in the Law
about the way to inherit eternal life, Jesus immediately pointed him to the
Law. “And a lawyer stood up and put Him
to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ And
He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?’ And
he answered, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH
ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR
NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ And He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; DO
THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.’” (Luk 10:25-28).
If we are doers of the Law, we will live.
For those who think tithing is only a provision
of the Law, which no longer applies to followers of Christ, listen to what
Jesus taught. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you
tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions
of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you
should have done without neglecting the others. (Mat 23:23). He said of their tithing that they “should
have done” so, but that they should not have neglected the weightier provisions
of the law. There are weightier
provisions of the Law than tithing, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
Now He said to them, "These are My words
which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are
written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be
fulfilled." (Luk 24:44)
Philip found Nathanael and said to him,
"We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the
Prophets wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." (Joh
1:45). In another instance, the crowd
then answered Him, "We have heard out of the Law that the Christ is to
remain forever…” (Joh 12:34a) They had heard of the Christ in the Law and the
Prophets. This is what Jesus meant when He said, "For all the prophets and
the Law prophesied until John. (Mat
11:13). The Law and the Prophets prophesied about Him until John, but when
Jesus came, then that which was written was no longer a futuristic prediction
but the fulfillment. As Jesus said,
this did not nullify the Law or the Prophets, it fulfilled them. They are still in effect.
"Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet
none of you carries out the Law? Why do you seek to kill Me?" (Joh
7:19). Jesus always taught that men
should carry out the Law, not break the commandments.
"If a man receives circumcision on the
Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me
because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?”(Joh 7:23).
He showed the spirit of the Law and the truth of it. The intent of the Law is love and doing
good.
Grace and Truth Realized through Jesus Christ
For the Law was given through Moses; grace
and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (Joh 1:17). Jesus realized
grace and truth for us. He brought to us the truth found in the Law, the spirit
of the Law, which was different from the way men understood it. It went much
deeper than they thought. The standard
was much higher than they realized. And He demonstrated by His life that love
was at the heart of the Law. He also
realized and fulfilled grace, such as had never been seen before in the
Law. As a result of Jesus realizing
grace, through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which
you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. (Act 13:39)
They brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery and asked Jesus, "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" (Joh 8:5). He did not say that He cancelled the Law or that breaking the Law in this manner was no longer considered a sin. He simply brought grace to the one who had violated the Law, and in doing so He fulfilled the Law. Had there been no Law that said it was sin to commit adultery, His act of grace toward the adulteress would not have been necessary, and would certainly not have been so profound. But it was precisely because this was forbidden by God and was such a serious sin deserving death that this act of grace by Him was so significant. He did not condemn the repentant sinner. But He certainly upheld the Law by saying, “Go. From now on sin no more.” (Jn 8:11). He did call it sin, and He did command her to “sin no more.” His grace and forgiveness did not nullify the Law. He fulfilled it.
They brought to Him a woman caught in the act of adultery and asked Jesus, "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?" (Joh 8:5). He did not say that He cancelled the Law or that breaking the Law in this manner was no longer considered a sin. He simply brought grace to the one who had violated the Law, and in doing so He fulfilled the Law. Had there been no Law that said it was sin to commit adultery, His act of grace toward the adulteress would not have been necessary, and would certainly not have been so profound. But it was precisely because this was forbidden by God and was such a serious sin deserving death that this act of grace by Him was so significant. He did not condemn the repentant sinner. But He certainly upheld the Law by saying, “Go. From now on sin no more.” (Jn 8:11). He did call it sin, and He did command her to “sin no more.” His grace and forgiveness did not nullify the Law. He fulfilled it.
The Apostles Did Not Speak Against the Law
They accused Stephen falsely when they put
forward false witnesses who said, "This man incessantly speaks against
this holy place and the Law.” (Act
6:13). This was how they viewed him, but he did not speak against the Law, and
neither did Jesus or any of His apostles.
Quite contrary to speaking against the Law,
Stephen said to them, “You who received the law as ordained by angels,
and yet did not keep it." (Act 7:53). He affirmed that the Law was ordained by angels, and that they
did not keep it as they should have.
After the reading of the Law and the
Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if
you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it." (Act
13:15). When Paul stood up to speak, he
did not speak against the Law. He
showed how Christ fulfilled what was written in it, and how “through Him
everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be
freed through the Law of Moses.” (Act 13:39)
The Jews also falsely accused Paul saying,
"This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law."
(Act 18:13). The way Paul taught men to
worship God was not contrary to the Law, but it fulfilled the Law.
When Paul visited Jerusalem, he met with
James and the elders were present. He
told how the Gentiles were turning to Christ. “And when they heard it they began
glorifying God; and they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many thousands
there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all
zealous for the Law;’ (Act 21:20)
When they told Paul that thousands of Jews were turning to Christ and
were zealous for the Law, Paul did not preach against this. Instead he went along with the following
advice from them. "Therefore do
this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take them and
purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave
their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they
have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping
the Law. "But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote,
having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from
blood and from what is strangled and from fornication." (Act
21:23-25). They explicitly upheld what
they had previously written about the Gentiles, but wanted the Jewish believers
to see that Paul walked orderly and kept the Law. So Paul complied.
When the Jews discovered Paul in the temple,
they began crying out, "Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man
who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this
place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has
defiled this holy place." (Act 21:28)
These were false accusations.
Paul countered their accusations by saying,
"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this
city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers,
being zealous for God just as you all are today.” (Act 22:3) He didn’t say
that they were correct and that he was teaching men against the Jewish people
and the Law and the temple. In fact, he
was going into the temple to fulfill purification rights.
Paul also defended himself by telling his
testimony and highlighting that the disciple of Christ involved in his conversion was "A
certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and
well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there.” (Act 22:12). That was the same Ananias whom the Lord instructed to lay hands on Paul to receive his sight.
When Paul stood on trial before the high
priest, he said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!
Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law
order me to be struck?" (Act 23:3). Paul taught that the man had violated
the Law in ordering Paul to be struck in the face.
Paul said, "But this I admit to you,
that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our
fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is
written in the Prophets;” (Act 24:14).
He said that he believed everything that is in accordance with the Law
and that is written in the Prophets.
Paul said in his own defense, "I
have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the
temple or against Caesar." (Act 25:8). He testified that he had committed no offense against the Law or
the temple.
In Rome, when they had set a day for Paul,
they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to
them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God and trying to persuade
them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets,
from morning until evening.” (Act 28:23) He didn’t break the Law or teach
against it, but rather tried to persuade men “from both the Law of Moses and
from the Prophets.”
The Matter of Gentile Circumcision and the Law
In the first century Church, there was a
problem in which the Christian Pharisees taught that new Gentile believers must
be circumcised, which was a ceremonial part of the Law, and they wanted the
Gentiles to be taught to observe the Law of Moses. “But some of the sect of the
Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise
them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.’” (Act 15:5) The apostles responded by saying that the Holy
Spirit had been poured out on Gentiles who were repenting and turning to God.
"Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning
to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain
from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is
strangled and from blood. For Moses from ancient generations has in every city
those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
(Act 15:19-21).
The apostles did not require Gentiles to be
circumcised, because the ceremonial law is nothing and merely foreshadows the
circumcision of the heart in Christ.
But notice that they upheld the Law of Moses by saying that in every
city there are those who preach the Law, and he is read every Sabbath in the
synagogues established in the Gentile world.
It had been this way since ancient generations. Therefore, they felt that Gentiles would
already know what the commandments are and would have access to the
commandments of the Law, so there was no need to trouble them, except to
require that they “abstain from things contaminated by idols and from
fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.” This was far from
contradicting the Law, because everything they required of the Gentiles was found
in the Law, and they thought there were already sufficient channels for the
Gentiles to hear the Law in their cities each week.
While they affirmed the equal opportunities
among Gentiles to hear the Law in their cities, they trusted more in the Holy Spirit,
Who writes the Law in people’s hearts. Paul taught that “when Gentiles who do
not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the
Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written
in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts
alternately accusing or else defending them.” (Rom 2:14-15). Even Gentiles without the Law, such as
Gentile believers, can instinctively do the things of the Law, and their
conscience will defend them, or else it will accuse them when they break the
Law, also known as committing sin. Paul
said this shows the work of the Law written in their hearts.
“Keeping
God’s commands in what counts!” (1 Co 7:19). Notice that while Paul taught against keeping the Law, he did teach that we should keep God's commands. Ceremonial law is nothing to us. We
are not under it. Whether or not a man is circumcised means nothing. But we are
expected to obey God’s commands. That is certain.
Paul taught that all who have sinned without
the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law
will be judged by the Law. (Rom 2:12). If a person does not have the Law and sins, they will still perish
without the Law. But if they sin under
the Law, such as a Jew or a Christian who knows the commandments, they will be
judged by the Law.
Doers of the Law
Paul taught that “it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.” (Rom 2:13) He taught that we must be doers of the Law.
James also taught this. “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (Jam 1:25)
James taught that we must be doers of the Law. “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For He who said, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ also said, ‘DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” (Jam 2:9,11-12)
James also taught that we must be doers of the Law, when he said: “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it”. (Jam 4:11)
In writing to the Jews, Paul said much the same, “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?” (Rom 2:23). He taught that by breaking the Law a person dishonors God. He said you do so whenever you steal or rob temples or commit adultery.
Now about the ceremonial right of circumcision, Paul taught, “For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves...” (Gal 6:13) He taught how God sees the circumcised person who does not keep the Law. “For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.” (Rom 2:25). But he went on to say that the person becomes as if he were uncircumcised if he transgresses any part of the Law.
He used this same logic to teach how God regards the Gentile believer as circumcised, even though he is physically uncircumcised.“So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? (Rom 2:26).The key to God regarding the uncircumcised Gentile as circumcised is that he keeps the requirements of the Law.
Doers of the Law
Paul taught that “it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.” (Rom 2:13) He taught that we must be doers of the Law.
James also taught this. “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (Jam 1:25)
James taught that we must be doers of the Law. “But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For He who said, ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ also said, ‘DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.’ Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” (Jam 2:9,11-12)
James also taught that we must be doers of the Law, when he said: “Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it”. (Jam 4:11)
In writing to the Jews, Paul said much the same, “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?” (Rom 2:23). He taught that by breaking the Law a person dishonors God. He said you do so whenever you steal or rob temples or commit adultery.
Now about the ceremonial right of circumcision, Paul taught, “For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves...” (Gal 6:13) He taught how God sees the circumcised person who does not keep the Law. “For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.” (Rom 2:25). But he went on to say that the person becomes as if he were uncircumcised if he transgresses any part of the Law.
He used this same logic to teach how God regards the Gentile believer as circumcised, even though he is physically uncircumcised.“So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? (Rom 2:26).The key to God regarding the uncircumcised Gentile as circumcised is that he keeps the requirements of the Law.
He once again said that “he who is
physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who
though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor
of the Law?” (Rom 2:27) Paul taught
that physically uncircumcised believers who keep the Law would judge the
circumcised Jews who have the letter of the Law and break it. The key here again is that Paul taught the
importance of the Gentile believer to keep the requirements of the Law.
Lastly, the apostle John said, "Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness."
(1Jo 3:4). My friend, Jesus has not called us to be lawless people. He is not a minister of sin.
Lastly, the apostle John said, "Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness."
(1Jo 3:4). My friend, Jesus has not called us to be lawless people. He is not a minister of sin.
No Justification by the Works of the Law
Although Paul taught that “the doers of the Law will be justified” (Rom 2:13), he later clarified how a man is justified, which is not by the works of the Law. “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” (Rom 3:19-20). The works of the Law can never be a means of justification in God’s sight. That is different from being a doer of the Law.
You need to understand that there is a big
difference between doing the works of the Law in order to be justified and
being a doer of the Law because Christ has justified you. Think about that! We must still be doers of
the Law, according to Paul.
“Nevertheless knowing that a man is not
justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even
we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in
Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no
flesh will be justified.” (Gal 2:16)
"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if
righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
(Gal 2:21)
Now that no one is justified by the Law
before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY
FAITH." (Gal 3:11)
“But now apart from the Law the
righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and
the Prophets.” (Rom 3:21) Paul said that the Law and Prophets witnessed to the
fact that the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the Law.
“For we maintain that a man is justified
by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Rom 3:28)
So did Paul teach against what the Law
says? He answered this himself by
asking, “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the
contrary, we establish the Law.” (Rom 3:31). Contrary to nullifying the Law, Paul and the other apostles
established it.
Then he went on to show that while he
established the Law, not only does justification come apart from the Law, but
the promises of God are not based on the Law. “For the promise to Abraham or to
his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law,
but through the righteousness of faith.” (Rom 4:13)
“For if those who are of the Law are heirs,
faith is made void and the promise is nullified;” (Rom 4:14)
Speaking still of the promise that God made
to Abraham, Paul said, “For this reason it is by faith, in
order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will
be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but
also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us
all.” (Rom 4:16) The promise of God is
to all Abraham’s descendants – those who are of faith – not just the ones who
are of the Law, meaning the Jewish ones.
“For until the Law sin was in the world, but
sin is not imputed when there is no law.” (Rom 5:13). Paul taught that even before the Law, sin was in the world since
the Garden of Eden. Mankind had been
stung by sin and it began to bring death.
There were consequences for sin, such as eviction from the Garden, the
destruction of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the world of Noah’s day. However, when the Law came God began to
count men’s sins against them. Man also began to desire to sin even more. “The
sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;” (1Co 15:56)
“The Law came in so that the transgression
would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Rom
5:20) The Law defines sin, so when the
Law came it actually increased transgression.
But this meant that God needed to have more grace.
To those who knew the Law, Paul taught what
the Law says with respect to marriage: “Or do you not know, brethren (for I am
speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a
person as long as he lives? For the married woman is bound by law to her
husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law
concerning the husband.” (Rom 7:2) The
laws of marriage which make it legal have jurisdiction over a person until
death.
It was on the basis of the Law that Paul
could teach, “So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another
man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free
from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to
another man.” (Rom 7:3)
Paul uses this truth from God’s laws of
marriage to illustrate a similar reality concerning those who believe in
Christ. “Therefore, my brethren, you
also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you
might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that
we might bear fruit for God.” (Rom 7:4).
Just as the woman is freed from the law of marriage when her husband
dies, so are we freed from the Law when we are united with Christ in His
death. At that point you are no longer
under the Law, but Christ begins to fulfill it through you according to His resurrection
power, so that you might bear fruit for God.
"For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live
to God. (Gal 2:19)
“For while we were in the flesh, the
sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at
work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released
from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve
in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.” (Rom 7:5-6) Although we were once bound to the Law like a
married woman, as long as we remained alive to the flesh, those sinful passions
of ours were aroused by the Law and bore bad fruit for death. But once we are united in Christ’s death, we
are released from the letter of the Law, so that we serve in the newness of the Spirit. This
is the spirit of the Law written in our hearts. We don’t come to Christ so that we can break the Law.
As Paul said, God "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant -- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." For an example of this, it's helpful to read how Jesus taught the spirit of the law in the sermon on the Mount, which can be found in Matthew 5.
As Paul said, God "has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant -- not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." For an example of this, it's helpful to read how Jesus taught the spirit of the law in the sermon on the Mount, which can be found in Matthew 5.
The Law is Good
“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COVET.' But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead." (Rom 7:7-8). Paul taught the difference between being under the Law and being in Christ. When you are outside of Christ and you have the Law, you are under it. This produces coveting of every kind and brings death. But when you are dead to self and united with Christ, you are seated with Him in heavenly realms, far above all rule and power. From this place of reigning in life, you are finally able to experience true righteousness and holiness. It is only then that Christ fulfills the Law in and through you. Then your life actually expresses the true intent of the Law, and you establish it. This is called being under the law of Christ.
“To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I
might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not
being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the
Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without
the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who
are without law.” (1Co 9:20-21) This is
a key point! Paul said he was not under
the Law, but he was not without the Law either. Rather he was under the law of Christ.
“I was once alive apart from the Law; but
when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died…So then, the Law is
holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” (Rom 7:9,12)
Always remember that the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous
and good. “But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully.”
(1Ti 1:8)
“For we know that the Law is spiritual,
but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin…But if I do the very thing I do not
want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is
good.” (Rom 7:14,16). Paul taught
that the Law is spiritual. He said, “I
agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.”
For I joyfully concur with the law of God
in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging
war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which
is in my members…So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving
the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” (Rom
7:22-23, 25). Paul spoke of his
pre-conversion experience. Even though he concurred with God’s law, he was a
prisoner of the law of sin. He contrasted the law of God and the law of sin.
Then he said, “For the law of the Spirit
of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
(Rom 8:2) The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ does not contradict the Law
of God.
Although the Law of God is good, holy, and
righteous, it has an inherent weakness due to the sinful nature of man. “For what the Law could not do, weak as
it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in
the flesh.” (Rom 8:3). Due to the
sinful nature, man is unable to keep the requirements of the Law.
But Christ condemned sin in the flesh, when
He bore our sin on the cross. And when
we are united with Him in His death, He makes it possible “so that the
requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according
to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:4). The key is that we do not walk according to the flesh, but walk
by the Spirit. Then the Law is
fulfilled in us, because the Holy Spirit loves the Law.
“The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward
God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not
even able to do so.” (Rom 8:7)
This explains why anyone living in the flesh is unable to subject
himself to the law of God.
Paul taught that there is a goal God wants to
achieve in the law. This refers to
God’s intent in the law. It is
summarized by love. Paul called that
goal or intent the “end of the law.” He taught that Christ is that end, and
when you come to Him by faith, you find the one who fulfills the intent of the
Law in you. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to
everyone who believes.” (Rom 10:4). The
phrase “the end of the law” does not mean that you are no longer a doer of God’s
Law! Quite the opposite! It means that
now you have true righteousness, the righteousness of God, and this is the
intent or “end goal” of the law.
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one
another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law…Love does
no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
(Rom 13:8,10)
Paul taught the Law. One example was in his letter to the
Corinthians, referring to those who preach making a living from the gospel, he
said, “I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does
not the Law also say these things? For it is written in the Law of Moses,
‘YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.’ God is not concerned about
oxen, is He?” (1Co 9:8-9)
Another example of Paul teaching the Law was
when writing to the Corinthians about the gift of tongues: “In the Law it is
written, ‘By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me,’ says the Lord.”
(1Co 14:21)
Yet another example was in his teaching from
the Law about the role and behavior of women in the churches. “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says....If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.” (1Co 14:34,37, NIV).
A final example was his teaching that children must obey their parents, because it is a commandment of God. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise— 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'” (Eph 6:1-3, NIV)
A final example was his teaching that children must obey their parents, because it is a commandment of God. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother'—which is the first commandment with a promise— 'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'” (Eph 6:1-3, NIV)
Just as Paul taught that the works of the Law
could never justify anyone, he taught that the Spirit of God is not given by
the works of the Law but by faith.
“This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive
the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?…So then, does
He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the
works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” (Gal 3:2,5). So while he taught that the doer of the Law
is justified, he also taught that we can never be justified by the works of the
Law or receive the Spirit by the works of the Law. It is by faith in Christ.
This is why he said, “For as many as are
of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘CURSED IS
EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO
PERFORM THEM.’" (Gal 3:10) Don’t
try to be justified by doing the works of the Law. Put your faith in Christ, and He will justify you. In Him you will become righteous. But then you will become a doer of the Law.
“However, the Law is not of faith; on
the contrary, ‘HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.’" (Gal 3:12).
This is why you cannot rely on the works of the Law to justify you. You must be
a doer of the Law without expecting it to justify you, but rather trusting in
Christ to justify you. The reason is
that on some point, we all come short of doing the Law perfectly.
That’s why it is so wonderful to know that
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for
us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"--
(Gal 3:13). The Law teaches that
everyone who hangs on a tree is cursed.
Since Jesus hung on a tree – a cross – he became a curse according to
the Law. If you love God’s Law, you
have to love Jesus for doing this, because through it He redeemed us from the
curse of the Law.
Paul taught that the promise of God to
Abraham came long before the Law. “What I am saying is this: the Law, which
came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant
previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.” (Gal 3:17)
Why the Law?
Paul explained why the Law was necessary after God made the promise to Abraham. “Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.” (Gal 3:19). The Law as given by angels through the agency of Moses as a mediator. The Law was intended to impute transgressions, so that we would be led to the seed of Abraham, Christ our only mediator between God and man.
“Is the Law then contrary to the promises of
God? May it never be! For if
a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would
indeed have been based on law.” (Gal 3:21)
While the Law is not contrary to the promise of God, it was unable to
impart life, and could not bring about the righteousness of God in our lives.
“But before faith came, we were kept in
custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be
revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to
Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.” (Gal 3:23-24)
“But when the fullness of the time came, God
sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He
might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the
adoption as sons.” (Gal 4:5) Christ
redeems those who are under the Law.
Paul always taught that we are not UNDER the
Law. “Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the
law?” (Gal 4:21)
Once you come to Christ, you are not under
the Law, you are led by the Spirit. “But if you are led by the Spirit, you
are not under the Law.” (Gal 5:18).
The Spirit of God fulfills the Law in you.
The Holy Spirit will lead you to do the Law,
like bearing one another’s burdens. “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill
the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2).
Although we are led, this is still something we must DO. This is called
the law of Christ. Bearing the burden of another brother or sister is a demonstration of godly love, and loving your neighbor as yourself is the fulfillment of the whole law (Gal 5:14)
Paul taught that Christ abolished the enmity
between man and God. He did not
contradict Jesus, who said that He did not come to abolish the Law! If anyone contradicts Jesus, we must always
hold fast to what Jesus taught, no matter if they are an apostle or angel. But
the enmity that Christ abolished was found in the fact that the sinful nature
of man made it impossible for man to fulfill the Law, so man was always at
enmity with God. Man was against God
and His Law. “By abolishing in His
flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in
ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus
establishing peace.” (Eph 2:15). Now in
Christ we have peace with God.
Paul described his life before Christ saying,
“As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in
the Law, found blameless.” (Phi 3:6)
This means that as far as the letter of the Law goes, men would consider
him blameless on all points. He knew what it was to have a righteousness of his
own that came from the works of the Law.
But Paul considered all that like rubbish
once he came to know Christ. He
considered it all loss. He only desired
to be found in Christ and have His righteousness. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing
worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of
all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be
found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,
but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that
depends on faith-- that I may know him and the power of his resurrection,
and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means
possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” (Phi 3:8-11)
“But avoid foolish controversies and
genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are
unprofitable and worthless.” (Tit 3:9) There is no use in disputing about the
Law. All of this hairsplitting about
the minor points is unprofitable and worthless. But there should be no dispute about the Ten Commandments found
in the Law. These are very plain and
clear, and Jesus upheld them.
Paul said that the Levitical priests were not
perfect and could not make anyone perfect.
“(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there
is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” (Heb
7:19). Jesus our high priest is our
better hope through which we draw near to God. “For the Law appoints men as
high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the
Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.” (Heb 7:28)
“And according to the Law, one may
almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding
of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Heb 9:22).
It is the Law that teaches us that all things are cleansed with blood,
and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. That’s why Jesus fulfilled the Law in
shedding His blood for us for the forgiveness of sin.
“For the Law, since it has only a
shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things,
can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year,
make perfect those who draw near.” (Heb 10:1)
The Law foreshadowed Christ, but was not the actual form itself. That is why it could never make anyone
perfect.
God did not desire sacrifices for sin and
burnt offerings. Although the Law
required them, He did not take pleasure in them. “After saying above, ‘SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT
OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, NOR HAVE YOU
TAKEN PLEASURE in them’ (which are offered according to the Law),”
(Heb 10:8) These things were required to point men to Christ until He should
come and fulfill them.
Paul draws a comparison between setting aside
the Law and spurning the Lord Jesus. "Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Heb 10:28-29, NIV). If the penalty for setting aside the Law of
Moses was death, Paul said the punishment is much worse for treating the blood
of Jesus as an unholy thing once you have been sanctified by it, because this
insults the Spirit of grace.
Here is a video called "The INCORRECT Foundation," by Robert Brownell of Spirit Lessons that will help you understand my point today:
Here is a video called "The INCORRECT Foundation," by Robert Brownell of Spirit Lessons that will help you understand my point today:
Putting it All Together
The Law has not been deleted, set aside, done away with, or erased. Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Jesus did not call us to be lawless people or lawbreakers. Loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself are the greatest commandments, and all the Law and Prophets depend on these two.
We are not supposed to dispute about various
extraneous points of the Law. We are
not to concern ourselves with ceremonial or ritual laws like circumcision or animal
sacrifices. It doesn’t matter whether or not a man is circumcised. Nor do we observe the dietary laws. We are not endeavoring to keep up the law of Moses in conjunction with the gospel of Christ. You cannot rely on your
obedience to the Law of Moses to save you, because it is only by grace
that you are saved through faith (Eph 2:8-10). But the Ten
Commandments are very clearly meant for all generations. These still represent what pleases God
today, and we express our love for Him by keeping His commandments. Keeping God’s commands in what
counts!
Jesus and the apostles taught from the Law.
But we do not simply keep the letter of the Law, which is what man sees on the
outward. For the letter kills. Rather, we keep the true
spirit and intent of the Law, which goes much deeper and gives life. "We serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code" (Rom 7:6b, NIV). This is only possible by
the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
We are not justified by doing the works of
the Law. It is only when we put our faith
in Christ that He justifies us. Once you are justified, you will be led by the
Spirit to be a doer of the Law. This is the law of Christ.
Always remember that we can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus (Jn 15:5), and if you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love (Jn 15:10). He Who lives in us fulfills the Law in us. When you know Him personally, you have true righteousness, the righteousness of God, and this is the intent or “end goal” of the law.
Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Other Scriptures from the Holy Bible, NIV.
Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the following articles of mine:
Commandments in the New Covenant
The Top Ten Things Jesus Taught
Law of Love in the New Testament
Is Obedience Optional?
The Law Fulfilled in Us
The Law Established Through Faith
The New Covenant
Faith Works!
Obedience by the Spirit
The Ways of Life
The Law is Good if Used Lawfully
What Then Must We Observe?
The Flesh vs. the Spirit
You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
Photo credit: Richard Harrison's article called God's Ten Commandments.
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
Always remember that we can do nothing apart from the Lord Jesus (Jn 15:5), and if you keep His commandments, you will abide in His love (Jn 15:10). He Who lives in us fulfills the Law in us. When you know Him personally, you have true righteousness, the righteousness of God, and this is the intent or “end goal” of the law.
Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Other Scriptures from the Holy Bible, NIV.
Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like the following articles of mine:
Commandments in the New Covenant
The Top Ten Things Jesus Taught
Law of Love in the New Testament
Is Obedience Optional?
The Law Fulfilled in Us
The Law Established Through Faith
The New Covenant
Faith Works!
Obedience by the Spirit
The Ways of Life
The Law is Good if Used Lawfully
What Then Must We Observe?
The Flesh vs. the Spirit
You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."
Photo credit: Richard Harrison's article called God's Ten Commandments.
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
_________________________________________________
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
