What's the purpose of the Old Testament law? The answer to this question is one of the most important and yet most misunderstood principles of the Christian life. In Galatians 3:24-25, Paul wrote, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." Amen! :-)
A question that often arises is, "Aren't we to be led by the law in our daily lives as Christians?" The answer is always, "NO!"
The law is for the lost, not the saved. In 1 Timothy 1:8-9, Paul writes, "But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully, realizing that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers...." You get the point. :-)
A question that often arises is, "Aren't we to be led by the law in our daily lives as Christians?" The answer is always, "NO!"
The law is for the lost, not the saved. In 1 Timothy 1:8-9, Paul writes, "But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully, realizing that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers...." You get the point. :-)
The law is like a mirror. The mirror can show you that your face is dirty, but it can't wash your face for you. So it is with the law. It shows us that we're sinful and spiritually dead in our thinking, but offers no solution to either.
When we realize Christ's once-for-all payment for sin and His very life in us, our identity is clearly not that of a filthy wretched sinner. Our identity is that of a child of God - a forgiven saint. We are not required to live by the law to try to make ourselves acceptable to God - an impossible task anyway.
In Romans 6:14, Paul wrote, "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."
When the law has done its work and led us to Christ, then it has fulfilled its function and purpose, and we never need to look into that mirror again. We're now led inwardly by the Holy Spirit. :-)
In Hebrews 8:12, the author wrote, (God speaking), "And I will remember their sins no more."
In Hebrews 8:13, " When He said, 'A new covenant,' He has made the first obsolete."
Paul refers to the 10 Commandments in 2 Corinthians 3:6-9, as the ministry of death and condemnation.
2 Corinthians 3:15-18, Paul wrote, "But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."
Are you resting in what Christ has already done for you, or are you trying to make yourself acceptable to God by living under law?
Stop trying to look in the mirror of the law - turn to Christ and see yourself as you really are - from His perspective: righteous, holy, blameless, and seated at the right hand of the Father. Thank you, Jesus! :-)
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