Has the Old Testament “law” been abolished?
What is the purpose of the law and are we still bound to it?
Years ago I was confronted by various folks whose religious beliefs held them hostage to certain laws and regulations. Since I knew Christ Jesus had set me free from the law of sin (and death), red flags went up in my head. After careful study, I reached the following theologically “mainstream” conclusion. For those who are interested in the matter, please read on. Truthfully, this post was written to settle the matter in my own walk with the Lord and may not speak to you at all. In fact it may melt you brain. Let’s hope not.
Has the Old Testament “law” been abolished?
From the writer of the book Hebrews: For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. (Heb. 7:12). The former law is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God (7:18). Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant (7:22) and because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood (7:24). Now the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises (8:6).
Let’s backtrack a bit. By means of a covenant is how God has chosen to redeem us and to guarantee us eternal life through Jesus. These truths, revealed in the Bible, are the basis of Christianity. The Bible is essentially a covenant document. The old covenant included those made with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David. It was prophesied that the new covenant would come about during the Messianic age where the Law of God would be written upon the hearts of men:
“The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jer. 31:31, 33). By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. (Heb. 8:13) For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law (Heb. 7:12).
The New Covenant was actually promised in Eden:
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Gen. 3:15).
It was proclaimed to Abraham:
“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Gen. 12:3).
It was fulfilled in Christ:
“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us — to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant, the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace“. (Luke 1:68-79).
The new covenant contains God promise to man of eternal salvation based upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
What is the purpose of the law:
What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator (Gal. 3:19). In fact, if you read on in Galations chapter 4 you will find that Paul gives us the example of Hagar & Sarah as a reminder to “cast out” the old law or covenant.
The Law prepares us for the gospel
“The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith,” (Gal. 3:24).
The Law justifies no one.
“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law,” (Rom. 3:20).
We are made righteous in God’s eyes by grace apart from the Law of God. “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law,” (Rom. 3:28). “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Rom. 5:1).
“Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified,” (Gal. 2:16).
The Law is for the ungodly.
“But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,” (1 Tim. 1:8-11).
Are Christians then still under the law?
Scripture say that “If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law” (Gal. 5:18). However before anyone gets the idea that this is a free ticket to engage in sin, we must also remember what is says a few verses prior: “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature*; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:13,14) So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature (Gal. 5:16,17). Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal. 5:24,25).
Christians are now responsible for upholding a new law: Bear ye one anothers’ burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2).
There is much more to say on this subject and hopefully this is a good starting point for some dialogue on Biblical law and covenant agreements as relates to present day believers in Christ.
Jim
(Originally posted at my blog: https://thywordistruth.wordpress.com/)
Most excellent entry, Jim. One of my favorites.