God gave mankind the Law, which is referred to as the Law of Moses. God used Moses as the mediator between Him and the people of Isreal. God gave Moses the Law to share with the people. The Law was given to show mankind their sins. God knew mankind was incapable of perfectly keeping the Law because everyone is born with a sinful nature passed down from Adam. The Law provided for sins to be covered by the blood sacrifice of spotless animals such as bulls, lambs, and goats, but this system only covered their sins. It had no power to remove the sins of the people. Therefore, God sent His Son Jesus to die to pay the full penalty of sin. The full penalty of breaking the Law. Only the sinless blood of Jesus, the Son of God, has the power to cleanse mankind of their sins and bring us into right standing with God the Father.
Therefore, we are not saved by the works of the Law but by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are no longer obligated to do the works of the Law but to live by the Spirit of God, which is given to everyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit writes God’s commands in our hearts. He convicts us, guides us, and gives us the strength and understanding to live a life pleasing to God. We don’t live by the Law. We live by the Spirit of God. Those who are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
The New Testament church was never taught to live by the Law. In fact, it became a huge controversy causing the Apostle Paul to meet with the church elders in Jerusalem. After some discussion, the elders sent a letter to the Gentile believers stating the following from Acts 15:28-29 NIV:
[28] It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: [29] You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
So, brothers and sisters in Christ. We are justified by our belief in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Savior. Our obligation to God is to love Him with all our heart and soul and to love others as ourselves. Jesus fulfilled the Law through his death so we can be saved by grace. Jesus is our mediator and advocate before the Father. The Blood of Jesus is the New Covenant God has made with mankind.
Scripture References
Romans 8:1-2 NIV
[1] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Hebrews 7:18-19 NIV
[18] The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless [19] (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV
[11] But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! [15] For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Galatians 2:16 NIV
know that a person is not justified by the works of 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 the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 3:10-14 NIV
[10] For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” [11] Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” [12] The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” [13] Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” [14] He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Galatians 3:23-25 NIV
[23] Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. [24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. [25] Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Romans 2:29 NIV
No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Romans 8:14 NIV
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV
[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
[37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Romans 13:10 NIV
Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Galatians 5:14 NIV
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Note: Read the Book of Hebrews in the Bible. It explains the new covenant and how Jesus fulfilled the Law by becoming the last and perfect sin offering and our great High Priest.
Deborah K. Givens, Admin
