Law and Gospel
In our journey of faith, we often encounter challenging questions about the role of God's law in our lives as Christians. How do we approach the Old Testament laws? Are they still relevant today? What was their purpose, and how should we understand them in light of Christ's work?
These questions aren't just academic exercises—they strike at the heart of how we live out our faith daily. As we dive into this topic, we'll explore the beauty and complexity of God's law, its purpose for Israel, and its significance for believers today.
When we look at the Old Testament, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, we see that the law was given to Israel as a precious gift from their redeeming Lord. It wasn't a burden, but a blessing—a way for God's chosen people to know His will and live in covenant relationship with Him.
Imagine living in a world where you didn't know what pleased or displeased your god. That was the reality for many ancient cultures. But Israel was different. They had been given clear instructions on how to live in a way that honored their God and maintained their relationship with Him.
The law instructed Israel in covenant faithfulness. It wasn't about earning God's love—He had already demonstrated that by rescuing them from Egypt. Rather, it was about how to live as His redeemed people. The law covered everything from their relationship with God to how they treated their neighbors, providing a comprehensive guide for life.
Interestingly, the law wasn't just a set of rules. It also provided a way to deal with sin through the sacrificial system. This shows us that God, in His wisdom and mercy, knew His people would fall short and made provision for their failures.
The Challenge for Christians
As Christians, we face a dilemma. We're not under the old covenant, yet we can't simply discard the Old Testament law. We must navigate between two extremes: antinomianism (being against God's law) and theonomy (strictly adhering to Old Testament law).
The apostle Paul wrestled with this tension in his letters. He affirmed that "the law is good if one uses it lawfully" (1 Timothy 1:8), while also warning against trying to be justified by the law. Jesus Himself said He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
So how do we approach the law as Christians? Here are some key insights:
1. The law as Scripture is for our good: As Paul wrote, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Old Testament, including the law, is part of God's word to us and has much to teach us.
2. The law reveals God's unchanging nature: When we study the law, we learn about God's holiness, justice, and love. These attributes haven't changed. As Peter reminds us, quoting Leviticus, "Be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).
3. The law reveals our sin and need for a Savior: Reading the law should humble us. It shows us how far short we fall of God's perfect standard and points us to our need for Christ.
4. The law reveals what Christ accomplished: Every command that we fail to keep, Jesus perfectly obeyed. He fulfilled the law on our behalf, becoming "our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
5. The law provides wisdom for loving God and neighbor: While we're not bound to the letter of the Old Testament law, its principles can guide us in loving God and others. Jesus summarized the entire law as loving God and loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).
Living in the Light of Christ
Understanding the law's role helps us appreciate the depth of God's grace in Christ. We don't obey to earn God's favor—we already have it through faith in Jesus. Instead, we obey out of love and gratitude, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This perspective transforms how we read the Old Testament. Instead of seeing a list of dos and don'ts, we see a revelation of God's character and a foreshadowing of Christ. We're freed from the burden of perfect law-keeping because Christ has done that for us.
Yet, this freedom doesn't mean we ignore God's commands. As Paul writes, "Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!" (Romans 6:15). Instead, we seek to live holy lives, guided by the law's principles and empowered by God's Spirit.
Consider the story of the woman leaving her husband for another man, all while claiming she loved him. True love, as defined by God's law and exemplified by Christ, is self-sacrificing and faithful. It doesn't harm or betray. The law helps us understand what genuine love looks like in action.
As we navigate life's complexities, the law can provide wisdom. For instance, the command to build a parapet (a protective wall) around a roof in Deuteronomy translates today into following safety codes to protect others. It's about considering others' wellbeing, which is at the heart of loving our neighbor.
In conclusion, God's law remains relevant for Christians today, not as a means of salvation or a binding legal code, but as a source of wisdom, a revelation of God's character, and a guide for holy living. It points us to Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and offers us His righteousness.
As we study the Old Testament, including the law, let's approach it with gratitude and wisdom. Let's allow it to drive us to Christ, deepen our understanding of God's holiness, and guide us in loving Him and others. In doing so, we'll discover the rich treasures God has for us in all of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments.
(View the full sermon below)
These questions aren't just academic exercises—they strike at the heart of how we live out our faith daily. As we dive into this topic, we'll explore the beauty and complexity of God's law, its purpose for Israel, and its significance for believers today.
When we look at the Old Testament, particularly the book of Deuteronomy, we see that the law was given to Israel as a precious gift from their redeeming Lord. It wasn't a burden, but a blessing—a way for God's chosen people to know His will and live in covenant relationship with Him.
Imagine living in a world where you didn't know what pleased or displeased your god. That was the reality for many ancient cultures. But Israel was different. They had been given clear instructions on how to live in a way that honored their God and maintained their relationship with Him.
The law instructed Israel in covenant faithfulness. It wasn't about earning God's love—He had already demonstrated that by rescuing them from Egypt. Rather, it was about how to live as His redeemed people. The law covered everything from their relationship with God to how they treated their neighbors, providing a comprehensive guide for life.
Interestingly, the law wasn't just a set of rules. It also provided a way to deal with sin through the sacrificial system. This shows us that God, in His wisdom and mercy, knew His people would fall short and made provision for their failures.
The Challenge for Christians
As Christians, we face a dilemma. We're not under the old covenant, yet we can't simply discard the Old Testament law. We must navigate between two extremes: antinomianism (being against God's law) and theonomy (strictly adhering to Old Testament law).
The apostle Paul wrestled with this tension in his letters. He affirmed that "the law is good if one uses it lawfully" (1 Timothy 1:8), while also warning against trying to be justified by the law. Jesus Himself said He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17).
So how do we approach the law as Christians? Here are some key insights:
1. The law as Scripture is for our good: As Paul wrote, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Old Testament, including the law, is part of God's word to us and has much to teach us.
2. The law reveals God's unchanging nature: When we study the law, we learn about God's holiness, justice, and love. These attributes haven't changed. As Peter reminds us, quoting Leviticus, "Be holy, because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).
3. The law reveals our sin and need for a Savior: Reading the law should humble us. It shows us how far short we fall of God's perfect standard and points us to our need for Christ.
4. The law reveals what Christ accomplished: Every command that we fail to keep, Jesus perfectly obeyed. He fulfilled the law on our behalf, becoming "our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).
5. The law provides wisdom for loving God and neighbor: While we're not bound to the letter of the Old Testament law, its principles can guide us in loving God and others. Jesus summarized the entire law as loving God and loving our neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40).
Living in the Light of Christ
Understanding the law's role helps us appreciate the depth of God's grace in Christ. We don't obey to earn God's favor—we already have it through faith in Jesus. Instead, we obey out of love and gratitude, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
This perspective transforms how we read the Old Testament. Instead of seeing a list of dos and don'ts, we see a revelation of God's character and a foreshadowing of Christ. We're freed from the burden of perfect law-keeping because Christ has done that for us.
Yet, this freedom doesn't mean we ignore God's commands. As Paul writes, "Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!" (Romans 6:15). Instead, we seek to live holy lives, guided by the law's principles and empowered by God's Spirit.
Consider the story of the woman leaving her husband for another man, all while claiming she loved him. True love, as defined by God's law and exemplified by Christ, is self-sacrificing and faithful. It doesn't harm or betray. The law helps us understand what genuine love looks like in action.
As we navigate life's complexities, the law can provide wisdom. For instance, the command to build a parapet (a protective wall) around a roof in Deuteronomy translates today into following safety codes to protect others. It's about considering others' wellbeing, which is at the heart of loving our neighbor.
In conclusion, God's law remains relevant for Christians today, not as a means of salvation or a binding legal code, but as a source of wisdom, a revelation of God's character, and a guide for holy living. It points us to Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and offers us His righteousness.
As we study the Old Testament, including the law, let's approach it with gratitude and wisdom. Let's allow it to drive us to Christ, deepen our understanding of God's holiness, and guide us in loving Him and others. In doing so, we'll discover the rich treasures God has for us in all of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments.
(View the full sermon below)