The Law of Moses
(Mat 5:17-20)
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.| 1. The Ceremonial Law | 3. The Moral Law |
| 2. The Civil Law | 4. Final Word |
1. The ceremonial law with its animal sacrifices were a type, and foreshadowing of Christ. They all pointed to the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. While we are no longer under the ceremonial laws the principles behind them to worship, and love God are still in effect. Paul wrote in Romans 12:1 that we are to offer up our bodies a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is our reasonable service. In this proclamation the apostle Paul sees in the ceremonial sacrifice not only a type of Christ offering Himself up. But also us following his example as a sacrifice unto God. Though the feasts, and the Sabbaths are not applicable to us. They are very prophetic, and would make a good study.
2. The civil laws were guidelines for Israel to follow in daily living. Although much of the civil law was meant for Magistrates, and Judges to judge the people in righteousness and restrain injustice. For example where it says, eye for eye, and tooth for tooth was not meant for the common people to take vengeance in there own hand. But for Magistrates to restrain injustice, and wrongs that might be done to there fellow brothers, and sisters. Not only retribution was given in the civil laws to restrain, but also sound principles, and guide lines were given to help the people. The principles behind these commands are still good for us today. To guide our conduct and behavior. Jesus himself modeled and fulfilled these laws as well.
3. The moral law still applies to us today. The ten commandments reveals the very nature, and will of God. We do not do away with the ten commandments. The moral law of God has not changed. Nine of the Ten Commandments are repeated in the New Testament epistles and commanded to believers. The tenth concerning the Sabbath day is spoken of spiritually in Heb chapter four, that their remains a rest for the people of God. That as Christians we are to work diligently to enter into His rest prepared before the foundation of the world. Concerning the observance of the literal Sabbath Saturday the last day of the week was given to only to Israel (see Rom 14). The ten commandments are all inclusive, yet leaving room for personal freedoms. They are not to be argued, but obeyed!
Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man's temper and conduct. Matthew's Henry's Commentary
The Letter of the Law kills (2 Cor 3:5-8). The New Covenant in Christ gives inward power enabling us to keep God's Law from the heart. The Law cannot give life only Jesus can. A mirror can show us where the dirt is but it can't clean us up. Many today would adopt an outward form of godliness with external rules passing over the true requirements of the Law as did the Pharisees in Jesus day. The Pharisees weakness was to be content to obey Gods laws outwardly without dealing with there heart, and wrong attitudes. Jesus teachings of the law in (Matt 5:21-48) is by far more difficult to obey than the scribes and Pharisees teaching of an outward code only. There is a right use of the law (1 Tim1:9-10 and 2 Tim 3:16).The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life (2 Cor 3:6). Rom 7:6 says we have been delivered from the Law wherein we were held that now we can serve God in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Meaning that we are no longer at enmity with Gods law, but now can serve Him not held down to the letter. Now we can serve God with all it says and teaches from our heart. The very inner core and truth of Gods Law can be fulfilled in us through Christ by the Spirit (Rom 8:1-4). It's important to note in Rom 8:3 that the law was weak through the flesh in other wards it was powerless to help us who live in these morally weak bodies acting as only an outward covering or finger pointing in the right moral direction, but utterly powerless to help us in our fallen condition after Adams sin. The law is not our source of power, but the resurrected Christ and his finished work of the Cross is, through the agency of the Spirit. Grace is and should be acknowledged as the main source working in our lives, as Paul over and over preached.
Love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom 13:10).The Pharisees looked good on the outside but were far from the Kingdom of God. Unless we are concerned about our attitudes as well as our actions we will not enter into the kingdom of God as Christ has forewarned us (Matt 5:20).
4. Final Word We are not under Law but Grace if you are saved (Rom 6:14-18). It was added because of transgression meaning primarily to help restrain sin and point to Jesus who was to follow (Gal 3:19-26). The grace of God in Christ can do far more. The righteous requirements of the Law can only be fulfilled in us by the Spirit through faith Rom 8:1-4). Only Jesus can change a sinful heart! Jesus is our life and standard who is the incarnate Word made flesh (John1:14). We are to look to Him for grace and follow Him.
Though we are not under the law, but faith we do not make void the law through faith, but establish it. Its our Christian duty (Rom 3:31). The ten commandments is sufficient to bring someone to see and feel there need for Jesus. We establish it because it is good, but not for salvation!
The Law also speaks of the Judgments and Curses of God (Duet 28:45, Dan 9:11,12). If we are saved we are not under the law but grace or else we would be under God's curses, condemnation and wrath. Jesus our redeemer holds the law In His hand till its purpose is fulfilled, as Jesus said till all be fulfilled (Matt 5:18) the last enemy being death (1 Cor 15:25,26) Including the second death (Rev 20:11-14).All judgment has been given into His hand (John 5:22). Also (Gal 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Jesus is the last Adam who has done away with the curse through His obedience to the Law. The first Adam brought the curse into the world through his disobedience, which included death (Gen 3:17-19 and Rom 5:12).
Jesus redeemed us from the curses, penalty, power, and guilt of sin, speaking of the condemnation of God's broken law, because the strength of the Law is sin which He condemned at the Cross (1 Cor 15:56, Eph 2:15 and Rom 8:3). He blotted out the hand writings, and ordinances that was against us, nailing them to the Cross (Col 2:14). The law has no mercy, it condemns all who are under it. James 2:10 tells us whosoever keeps the whole law but offends in one point there guilty of all of it. If we miss it just in one area or just one time the weight of the whole law is upon us and against us. We are on our way to hell under the condemnation of God's law. (Rom 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Rom 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Gal 3:10) For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Christianity is a relationship with God through Christ (John 17:3). Jesus is merciful, longsuffering, and patient. His desire is that the law be fulfilled in us through grace (Rom 8:3). But all who reject Him will suffer the wrath of God. He is coming back in flaming fire to take vengeance on those who know not God and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thess 1:6-8). He came first as the suffering lamb of God to die for the sins of the world, but He is coming back as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. To tread the wrath of almighty God (Rev 19:15). It is He who holds the judgments and curses of the Law in His hands see (Rev 2:11, 5:6-8 and 20:11-15).
If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior (see How to be Saved).
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