This is a complex theological issue that requires careful examination of Scripture. At its core, it refers to the idea that Christians are not obligated to perfectly keep the Old Testament laws, specifically the Mosaic Law consisting of over 600 commands given specifically to the ancient Israelites. However, this does not mean that the Mosaic Law is irrelevant or invalid for Christians. There are important principles and moral truths embedded within the Mosaic Law that reflect God’s holy and righteous character, which still apply today. Let’s explore this topic more fully.
The Purpose of the Mosaic Law
First, it’s important to understand the purpose and function of the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament. The Law was given by God to the Israelites after rescuing them from slavery in Egypt. It functioned on several levels:
- It revealed God’s holy and righteous standards for human conduct.
- It provided moral guidance and wisdom for godly living.
- It exposed human sinfulness and the need for salvation.
- It functioned as Israel’s national law code and social order.
- It distinguished Israel from the surrounding pagan nations.
The Law served an important purpose in God’s plan of redemption during the Old Testament era. However, the New Testament teaches that Jesus fulfilled the Law and inaugurated a new covenant in his blood (Luke 24:44; Romans 10:4; Hebrews 8:6-7, 13). This highlighted the temporary and limited nature of the Mosaic Law.
Not Justified by the Works of the Law
A key passage is Galatians 2:16, which says “we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” This means our right standing with God is based on Christ’s atoning sacrifice, not through perfect obedience to the Mosaic Law. The Law’s purpose was not to provide a means of earning righteousness before God (Romans 3:20). Due to human sinfulness, no one could keep the Law perfectly (Galatians 3:11). Righteousness comes as a gift of grace, received by faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Released from the Law through Christ
Romans 7:1-6 explains that through their union with Christ in his death and resurrection, believers have died to the Law and are released from its binding authority. Just as a widow is free to remarry after her husband dies, Christians are free from the Law through their spiritual union with the risen Christ. His atoning death marked the end of the Law’s jurisdiction over them.
The Law is Fulfilled in Christ
Jesus said he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Other New Testament passages explain that Christ fulfilled the Law in several ways:
- He fulfilled its prophetic anticipations of the Messiah (Luke 24:27).
- He exhibited perfect obedience to the Law, which we could never achieve (Romans 5:19).
- He bore the Law’s curse for sin as our substitutionary sacrifice (Galatians 3:10-13).
- His life and ministry fulfilled the Law’s moral principles and requirements (Romans 8:3-4).
Therefore, the Law finds its fulfillment in Christ – both his sinless life and atoning death. This is why believers are no longer subject to the Law’s demands.
The Moral Law Still Applies
Does this mean Christians can freely ignore the moral commands in the Law? Not exactly. While we are not under the Law as a means of justification and acceptance with God, the moral truth embedded within the Law reflects God’s unchanging moral character. There are ethical principles, moral commands, and timeless truths in the Law that still shape Christian conduct today. For example, the Ten Commandments prohibit lying, theft, murder, adultery – moral laws that remain in force under the new covenant.
Paul says the Law is “holy and righteous and good” (Romans 7:12). Although we relate to the Law differently as New Covenant believers, it still reveals principles of right and wrong that guide Christian behavior and morals. It is profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Freedom in the Spirit
Importantly, Christians have a new source of guidance and empowerment – the indwelling Holy Spirit. Romans 8 contrasts living by the flesh under the Law versus living by the Spirit in Christ. Believers are called to fulfill the moral intents of the Law by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-24). The Spirit produces Christlike character (the fruit of the Spirit) and conduct that goes beyond mere external rule-keeping. Our new life in Christ brings freedom from sin and death through the enabling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2).
New Testament Hausregeln (House Rules)
The New Testament provides new “hausregeln” (house rules) for God’s spiritual household, the church. These are contained in the moral instructions of the apostles, especially in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Believers are to follow the commands and moral example of Christ and the apostles’ teachings, which both summarize and model the heart of God’s righteousness.
Not Under the Law, But Led by the Spirit
In summary, Christians are not obligated to keep the Mosaic Law as a system of justification or acceptance with God. Its demands have been fulfilled in Christ. We relate to it in a new way – no longer as a means of earning righteousness but as a guide to moral conduct that reveals God’s holy character. At the same time, we are not subject to the external letter of the Law. We are led by the Holy Spirit, whose power enables us to fulfill God’s moral purposes from the heart (Romans 6:17-18). Through faith in Christ, believers are released from the Law’s condemnation so we can serve God with sincere love by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:13-14).
Implications and Applications
Let’s explore some implications of these truths for the Christian life:
- Grace empowers holiness. We are not sanctified by self-effort under the Law, but through relying on the Spirit’s empowering grace.
- Freedom from legalism. We avoid the burden of trying to earn favor with God through perfect law-keeping.
- No longer condemned. We have rest in Christ from the Law’s condemnation for failures and shortcomings.
- Greater assurance. Our acceptance is based on Christ’s merit rather than our success at keeping rules.
- Higher standard. The Spirit leads us to righteousness that exceeds the letter of the Law.
- The Law enlightens. We benefit from the Law’s moral truths but are empowered to fulfill them by the Spirit.
- Balance. We avoid antinomianism (disregarding God’s moral law) but also legalism (salvation by works).
In Christ, believers relate to the Law in a new covenant way – we look to it for moral enlightenment but not as a system of justification. This brings great freedom and assurance, along with a higher capacity for obedience as we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.
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