Law, Liberty, License
Where do we as believer's in Christ stand with the Mosaic Law? Is any part of the Law binding on the disciple of Christ? What is the purpose of the Law?
I have been taught over the years probably the most common view of the Law in evangelical theology. This view appoarches these questions by dividing the Law into three separate parts; cerimonial, civil and moral. The teaching goes something like this. The civil code was applicable only to the nation of Israel which no longer exists in the form as known in the Old Testament so it has passed away. The cerimonial code was merely a foreshadowing of things to come which have passed away since Christ completed them. Leaving the moral code of the Mosaic Law still enforce today. After examining this view over the years I find myself at odds with it.
I do not agree with biforcating the Mosaic law into two parts (moral and other = part passed away the other still in force) nor do I hold to the idea of antinomianiam (against law = Lawlessness).
There are aspects of the moral code found in both the ceremonial and civil codes. There is no clean break between these man imposed dissections nor does the Word demand such divisions.
Matthew 5:17-20 17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 "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. 19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Christ fullfilled all of the Law perfectly on our behalf. Does that mean we can do whatever we want to? We will get to that point later. First let's deal with the moral law of God.
The Mosaic Law contains principles and requirements that reflect God's eternal moral character, but it is not identical. The moral law of God is unchanging as is the moral character of God. The moral aspects of God are binding to all men in every era and land. They are based in the Holiness of God. They existed apart and before the Mosiac Law and continue after the Mosaic Law.
A distinction can be made between the Law and the eternal percepts we find in Christ. The greek word "nomos" is used to refer to the Law in scripture (Matthew 5:17). The greek word "entole" is used to refer to the precepts of Christ (1 John 2:7).
1 John 2:7-11 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The proof that we know Christ is found in our desire and adherance to the precepts of the eternal character of Christ. It is never because we subscribe to the Law of Moses. The obedience Christ wants from us is not legalistic obedience but gracious obedience - not based on fear but on love. Christ connects our obedience to love.
John 14:15 15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
It is worth noting that the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the Law are two very different things. Fruit is produced naturally - it comes forth because of the nature of the source. Work is produced through external effort - it is not naturally occuring.
So why was the law given? Paul answers this question.
Galatians 3:19 19 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.
The key words are added and until.
The law was added to the Abrhamic covenant but did not nullify that covenant. To show the exceeding sinfulness of man and the need for a savior. The law reveals we are under a curse in great neediness of God's mercy.
This is the significance of Christ bearing the curse for us. In His ressurrection we see the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant. The Law only brought a curse. The Promise to Abramham brought a blessing. The Law was added but only for a time - until Christ came, died and rose again. Christ is the end of the Law for the believer.
Romans 10:4-13 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART "-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
The Old testament pointed toward the ending of the Mosaic Convenant. This does not mean there is not value in the studying the law.
2 Timothy 3:14-17 4 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
So what is left? God is left and God's moral precepts have never changed.
One other point that needs to be mentioned. Have you heard some use the term we are not under the law but under grace? The only way I have ever heard the used in when some seek to justify their sin. This is as great of an error as one saying we must keep the Law. Paul addressed this in Romans 6 and in Galations 5. Others will say it is all about love, this statement is true only make sure it is love as God has defined it.
Legalism = The return to the yoke of the Law.
License = The return to the yoke of SIN.
Both of these are grevious errors!
So where are we to stand?
Christian Liberty. It is neither license nor legalism.
Liberty = The freedom from sin. The freedom to obey Christ out of true love. The freedom to produce good fruit, fruit of eternal value.
Galatians 5:16-18 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
