In the Old Testament, Israel was under the law which is God’s government. According to Ed Hindson, a Scholar, “Israel in the Old Testament was not a democracy, it was a Theocracy. A government of God, and the children of Israel must keep the law to succeed.” If anyone commits an offense or breaks the law, not only would he or she be punished, but the whole community as well.
Why the law? One might ask. God’s law guides the people of God (both then and now) to live in such a way as to love God and neighbor. The law serves many purposes, for example, establishing standards of living, maintaining order, resolving disputes/issues, and protecting liberties and rights. The way they must walk.
Brent Strawn, A. A Scholar, Affirm. “When God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt with “a mighty and an outstretched arm, the law highlighted/shows the holiness of God and the kind of people God wanted to represent Him in the world. With over 600 specific laws, they were to be taken together as a whole, to help them navigate their way of life in the community.” (Navigate – the way they should behave).
Animal sacrifices ended because Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice. John the Baptist recognized this when he said, “Look, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” (John 1:29). Jesus Christ is the Savior that restores human relationship with God and with eternal life.” We can go to God through Jesus who is the only way.
Apostle Paul said in Galatians 3:24 “The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” We are now justified, sanctified, redeemed, washed, and set apart to God. (believe) And Romans 10:4 says, “Christ is the end (goal) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). God who gave us the law also gave us Jesus Christ, for the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). His grace was demonstrated through the law by providing a Sacrificial Lamb; Jesus Christ, for the sins of mankind, although He was born “under the law” (Galatians 4:4) He, establish the New Covenant. “His blood which is poured out for you and I, is the New Covenant.” (Luke 22:20)
Is the Law still valid for 21st century Christians?
Apostle Paul states, the purpose of God’s law is to make each of us conscious of our own sins (To make us aware, to know where we have gone wrong) thus; we need a Savior.
The apostle Paul says, Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” (Rom. 7:7). (Lust, strong desire for something)
The life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ made salvation from sin possible, so mankind is saved by God’s grace and love, but we must believe.
As individuals, when we think of the law, what comes to mind is the Ten Commandments from the book of Exodus 20, but v.9 tells us “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet. And other commandments are summed up in one word, “love” because love is the heart of Christ. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” What Paul is saying is, if one has love in his heart, you will not wrong your neighbor. Love fulfills that, if you love one another, you have fulfilled the law. And “Love will cover a multitude of sin.” (1 Peter 4:8). “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” (Romans 13:9-10)
For God is love. If God our Father is love, as Christians, we must love. We are commanded to love. Christ willingly surrendered Himself to be crucified for the sake of love, John 3:16 and so Love is the end of the law. If you love your neighbor, brother, or sister, you cannot hurt him or her, thus, love is the end of the law. The Law is the beginning and end of the Old Testament, but love is the beginning of the New Testament. True tender love.
The Book of Corinthians 13:13 tells us “We must live in faith, hope, and love, these three but the greatest is love.” And we must “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2).
Love is the answer, love is the solution, and we are required to love one another tenderly. Please “do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16).
It is also written, “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others”. (1 Corinthians 10:24). (NIV). And “Do not look to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:4) (NIV).
Please ask managers at grocery stores for groceries or gift cards for the needy in your local Church. Please help needy.
Amen!!