The Christian Life: Christians and the Law (2)

So why does the Bible say New Testament (NT) believers “are not under the law” (Romans 5:18, and 6:14-15)?   This is an all-important question!

Jesus taught that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17-19).

Matthew 5:17-19 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus fulfilled the Law in at least two ways: 

First, He obeyed the Law perfectly—something that no one else ever has done, can do, or will ever do.  This was necessary because a law-breaker cannot atone for other law-breakers.  Jesus was not only sinless, He had to be our Savior.

Second, He fulfilled the Law in that everything in the Law (and indeed the entire Old Testament) points to and is about Jesus. Jesus not only fulfilled the Law, He IS the fulfillment of the Law!

Note also in Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:18 that the Law will not be done away with until heaven and earth pass away when the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21-22) are established. Since that has not happened in this present age, the Law still stands.

Jesus also announced the error of teaching that the Law (when used properly) is no longer valid (v.19).

So in what way are the redeemed not under the Law? We are no longer under the condemnation of the Law. Why? Not because we are sinless, but because we are justified, or declared by God to be forgiven. Praise God the redeemed are not under the condemnation of the Law since Jesus took our condemnation and gave us His righteousness.

Although Christians are no longer under the condemnation of the Law, in what ways are believers still to embrace rather than discard God’s Law? 

Next time.