The Christian’s Relationship with the Law

The Law of God as we know it are the commandments which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai for the children of Israel (Exodus 20:1). It can also be called the precepts, ordinances and statutes of God. The law given by God to Moses can be classified into three groups:

i. The moral law – deals with God’s rule for holy living (Exodus 20:1-17)

ii. The civil law – this is concerned with Israel’s legal and social life as a nation (Exodus 21:1 – 23:33)

iii. The ceremonial law – this addresses the form and ritual of Israel’s worship of God, including the sacrificial system (Exodus 24:12 – 31:18)

Points to note about the Law

i. The law was given after Israel has been saved by the Passover lamb and delivered from bondage in Egypt. Thus, they were already in a covenant relationship with God (Exodus 12:11-13).

ii. The law was not meant has a way to obtain salvation for the unsaved. The people to whom it was given were already in a saved relationship with God (Exodus 20:2).

iii. The Israelites were expected to obey the law by God’s grace in order to maintain and celebrate their faith relationship with Him (Deut 30:15-20).

iv. Although the Old Testament law was holy, good and righteous (Romans 7:12), it was inadequate and not complete. God never intended it to be permanent. It was therefore a temporary guardian for God’s people until the Lord Jesus Christ came (Galatians 3:22-26). The old covenant has now been replaced by the new covenant in Christ Jesus.

In summary, we can safely say that the law was not required for Israel to obtain salvation because they were already in a covenant relationship just like their father Abraham (Genesis 12:1-2; 15:5-6). However by obedience to the law they are responding in love, gratitude and loyalty to Him in a covenant relationship. We can now see that God’s principle of faith in Him before works has been from the beginning (Old Testament) and not just a New Testament theology (Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:6).

Our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:17 says that it is not His intention to abolish the law and the prophets (that is the Old Testament revelation) but rather to see it fulfilled in the lives of His followers.

The believer that is, one who is already in a saved relationship with God is expected to keep the ethical and moral principles of the Old Testament (Matthew 7:17; 22:36-40; Romans 3:31; Galatians 5:13-15) as well as the teachings of Christ and the apostles (Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 7:19). However, the Old Testament laws that applied directly to the nation of Israel such as the sacrificial, ceremonial, social or civil laws are no longer binding (Hebrews 10:1-4).
Through faith in Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, believers by the grace of God are given an inner compulsion and power to fulfil the law of God (Romans 16:25-26; Hebrews 10:16). We fulfil it when we live in accordance with the Spirit (Romans 8:4-14). The Holy Spirit helps us to put to death the misdeeds of the body and to fulfil God’s will (that is by hearing and doing the Word of God). The external conformity to God’s law must be accompanied by the inner transformation of our hearts and spirits (Matthew 5:21-28).
Conclusion
Our salvation in Christ Jesus comes with responsibilities. We are saved to show forth the praises of Him Who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). We are to trust God and obey His Word by keeping His commandments. The grace of God does not provide the licence for lawlessness, neither does it make available the cover up for evil (1 Peter 2:16). It is not the freedom to make us indulge or remain in the sinful nature (Galatians 5:13). Rather, God’s grace gives us the needed enablement to obey God and live for Him.
We cannot claim the blessings and promises of God and at the same refuse to obey His Word. If we are the children of Abraham we must do the works of Abraham (John 8:39). If you have God as your Father, the Lord Jesus says to the Jews, you will love Me (John 8:42). This same statement is relevant to believers today. If we are God’s children, we love His Son Jesus Christ. The love for Jesus is demonstrated in sincere faith and obedience to Him (John 14:15). This is a fundamental principle to our claim of salvation. Otherwise the claim to being a child of God is illegitimate.
Although we are not saved by keeping the law, God however expects us to keep His commandments, obey the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles for us to maintain a closer walk with Him (Matthew 22:36-40; Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 9:21). These we achieve as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide and control us. He changes our hearts and guides us to do the things that please God. His Spirit guides us His children to fulfil His law in its true sense and intent.
Our Lord Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.” To do the Father’s will is to hear the Word of God and do it by putting it into practice (Luke 8:21; Matthew 12:50; Mark 3:35).
Are you living His Word? Live His Word and it shall be well with you.

I beseech you to repent and forsake your sins so as to enjoy a time of refreshing with the Lord.
Have your totally surrendered your life unto the Lord Jesus Christ and made Him your Lord and personal Saviour? If not, then take the following steps of faith in order to be saved and receive strength to serve Him.

A – Admit that you are a sinner (Rom 3:23)
B – Believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is able to save you from your sins and sins’ problems (Mathew 1:21)
C – Confess your sins and invite the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour (Romans 10:9-10)
D – Depart from doing evil and live a righteous life in Christ Jesus (Titus 2:11-14)



I encourage you to watch these ministers on YouTube: Leonard Ravenhill; David Wilkerson; Zac Poonen; Gbile Akanni; Keith Daniel and Samson Jebutu. Also you can watch Moment of Truth Ministries on Ustream every Sunday at 5:00 pm.
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