God’s law, as revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures, was never designed to bring about spiritual redemption and / or the salvation of humanity! While some teach that the keeping of the Law was the means and method of salvation before Christ, that concept works to instill much confusion. Therefore, one might legitimately ask, why was the O.T. Law given to God’s people?
First, the Law was designed to identify and expose one’s sin and clearly reveal the true spiritual condition of individuals. Thus, it serves as a comparative test … this is what God says is right, perfect, and desirable, as compared to the reality of one’s own thinking, desires, actions, etc. In essence, a clear, well-lit mirror that accurately reflects and reveals the exact image that is presented before it! Therefore, God’s law revealed the defects and shortcomings of a person’s life / character. The effect was to be as if one is driving down the highway at an accelerated speed and sees a patrol officer. Immediately the foot is lifted from the gas pedal and the vehicle slows to an appropriate / legal speed. That’s exactly what was intended to happen in the life of God’s people … when they recognized the Lord’s criteria, they adjusted their behavior, thoughts, etc. into compliance with the things of God (holiness, righteousness, justice, etc.).
Second, the Law was presented to the nation of God’s people (the 12 original tribes of Israel) to regulate their society. It was introduced when the Israelites sinned in the wilderness by worshiping the golden calf. The Lord God always wanted human beings to live by His guidance and leading. But those escaping their demise in Egypt were unwilling. As a result, God gave them a set of rules and regulations by which they would / should be governed. Every nation has laws, designating some behaviors as “legal’ and some as “illegal.” Generally speaking, illegal actions were / are accompanied by some form of judicial style punishment to offer recompense to the society or individuals damaged as a result of the Law being violated. As in the illustration stated above, those that refuse to slow down in obedience / agreement with the law are stopped, issued a ticket and compelled / mandated to pay a fine as a result of their failure to abide by the Law.
Third, by the keeping of God’s law, and through the abundant blessings of the Lord’s provisions, the nation was to be unique among all people groups in the world, and their testimony of the one true God would compel others to desire, know, and serve Him.
The Law, all 613 commands (mitzvot in Hebrew) extracted from the Old Testament, was aimed / pointed at humanity’s inability to conform and obey, bringing them to a place where they could recognize the weakness of their own flesh, their inability to live righteously 24/7, and their need for a faith-based relationship with a force and power greater than themselves and their own spiritual strength and abilities.
“Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith.”
Habakkuk 2:4
We must now inquire of the New Testament to gain a fuller, more complete revelation / understanding!
What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.”
Romans 7:7
For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.” Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Galatians 3:10-11
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Galatians 3:21-22
God never intended for the Old Testament Law to be the universal law for all people, for all of time, by which one could gain / obtain a position of righteousness through the forgiveness / removal of sin!
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:3-4
Sometimes we, as New Testament believers, get confused by the biblical use of the word “law.” Romans 6:14 declares to all of us … “You are not under law but under grace” … which means we are not burdened by the law as one’s source for earning, gaining, or acquiring forgiveness of sin, salvation, righteousness, and a place in eternity with Christ Jesus.
What if righteousness could come through Law? If righteousness is available through the Law, then Christ became human, suffered, and died needlessly (without purpose / cause … for nothing)!
“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”
Galatians 2:21
Therefore, let us rejoice … my failure and inability to live by the tenants of the Law and upholding every portion of it, has resulted in a God-designed and orchestrated path of forgiveness, salvation, and righteousness, as well as an eternity with the Lord that I could have never acquired or attained on my own!
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
Have you received and accepted the gift of God? It’s time to decide which path you’ll choose!
His & Yours, only because of G.R.A.C.E. (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
Pastor Frank
